Time for Nawaz Sharif to prove his mettle
The PML-N leadership is divided over how to deal with Musharraf. While the majority is opposed to removing his name from the ECL, some are against taking any risk. It is for the first time in the country’s history that a former military ruler is being held accountable. There is a need to shut the door for military takeovers for good by letting the law take its course. With the exception of the MQM, the rest of the opposition is willing to stand by Sharif if he does not bail out Musharraf. Any bargaining with Musharraf would be interpreted as surrender. The removal of the former military ruler’s name from the ECL is likely to draw flak from the superior judiciary also. Sharif has to realise that the bar on Muharraf’s travel abroad was put by a two-member Supreme Court bench in April last year. At about the same time the Sindh High Court, while granting Musharraf protective bail, directed the Directorate General Immigration and Passport to put his name on ECL. The SHC subsequently rejected Musharraf’s petition to remove his name from the ECL. A confrontation with judiciary could turn out to be disastrous for the system.
The PML-N leadership is also divided over how to deal with the TTP. The ceasefire announced by the militants ended on Monday but despite promises an announcement regarding the extension in ceasefire is yet to be announced. The TTP is in fact employing the threat of the renewal of the terrorist attacks to extract concessions that would seriously compromise national interests. The demands for a demilitarised zone and the release of TTP prisoners are preconditions for the initiation of talks on substantive issues like the acceptance of the constitution and the writ of the state by the militants. A demilitarised zone is established between two warring nations along the frontiers or boundaries that separate them. Calling upon the national army to cede control of the country’s territory to placate the terrorists is a recipe for disaster. The TTP militants have kidnapped many noncombatants including Prof Ajmal Khan, Shahbaz Taseer and Ali Haider Gilani. It is however unwilling to exchange any of these for its captured noncombatants. How can the government release the TTP detenus unilaterally? Releasing terrorists who have attacked innocent citizens, military establishments and law enforcement personnel should be out of question.
The way the party leadership could not reach a consensus and had to postpone the national security meeting indicates a lack of leadership. It is time Nawaz Sharif recognises the importance of the historical moment. He should say no to removal of Musharraf’s name from ECL and no to the conditions set by the TTP.