Breach of promises made with Musharraf pertaining to relief in his indictment main cause of anger among khakis
Information minister expresses ignorance over any such ‘promise’, says govt believes in respecting all state institutions
Musharraf’s spokesman says some elements in judiciary and executive ‘trapped’ former army chief by promising a safe passage
ISLAMABAD-
The alleged backtracking from ‘promises’ made with the khakis by some government and judicial functionaries for provision of a safe passage to former dictator General (r) Pervez Musharraf is now reflecting in powerful statements as the Establishment has taken this breach of promise as a “humiliation to the institution”, Pakistan Today has learnt reliably.
Moreover, the security establishment thinks that Musharraf was trapped as ‘false promises’ were made by elements in the judicial branch of the bureaucracy and the executive to lure the former army chief into indictment.
However, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervez Rashid says that he has no knowledge of any commitment made with Musharraf for a safe exit from any quarter.
“No such assurance is in my knowledge,” he told Pakistan Today.
Commenting on the army chief’s statement made on Monday, the information minister said that there was no difference of opinion in the government circles that the state institutions, including the armed forces should be respected. “We strongly believe in respecting all state institutions including the army,” he maintained.
However, sources claim that despite assurances, Musharraf not only was made to appear before the court, but was also indicted and later denied an opportunity to proceed abroad to see his ailing mother who, according to doctors in Sharjah, is in a critical condition.
Backchannel interactions and interviews with people dealing with Musharraf’s case have revealed that the Establishment was actively pursuing its quest to get a safe passage for the former army chief and after shuttle diplomacy, positive signals had been conveyed from the judiciary.
“It was conveyed that a safe passage would be ensured if Gen Musharraf appeared in the court and sought permission for proceeding abroad to see his ailing mother. It was also assured that if the lawyers’ team of Musharraf is replaced and a proper decorum is maintained in the court, Musharraf would not be indicted,” a source privy to the details of the offer told Pakistan Today.
“Resultantly, Gen Pervez Musharraf’s lawyers, headed by Sharifuddin Pirzada, Anwar Mansoor Khan and Ahmed Raza Kasuri, were asked not to appear in court and were replaced by a soft spoken Dr Farogh Nasim,” the source said, adding that against doctors’ advice, just to abide by the deal, Musharraf appeared in the court and also requested permission to see his ailing mother.
The source said that instead of providing relief, the court indicted Musharraf while his request for permission to visit his mother was turned down and the buck was passed to the government.
“This was taken as a breach of the assurances given earlier. Moreover, the government also turned down a request for clearance of Musharraf’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL) despite a ‘quiet request’ made by the security establishment to the prime minister,” the source added.
The source said that the Establishment has taken this “breach of promises” as humiliation resulting in increasing frustration among the khakis.
When contacted, the spokesman for Pervez Musharraf, Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif confirmed that some elements in the judiciary and executive had “trapped” the former army chief by promising a safe passage.
“We were asked that in order to uphold sanctity of the judiciary, if Gen Musharraf appears before the court and his hard-hitting lawyers are replaced with some other professionals, his request for proceeding abroad will be allowed while he will also not be indicted,” he said, adding that all the wishes were honoured but no relief was provided.
He said that it looked that the judiciary and executive were hands in glove as it had been witnessed that some judges were taking ‘dictation’ from the executive.
Crap. This all seems fabricated and too phony to believe.
Even if accepted true then those who sought such assurances should be nabbed as it tantamount to obstruction of justice. In fact they failed to lure the courts.
According to a report Ch Iftikhar ex CJ of SC talked to the Judge Faisal Arab and told him to indict Mush at all costs..
Musharraf and his cronies are delusional. Had he not appeared in court, he would been arrested, hand cuffed and presented before the court. It was a wise decision on his court to appear in court when he did.
All this rumour about khakis being upset is pure disinformation. If they could have their way, they will pack him and throw him out of the country so he stops being an embarrassment to them.
This article is a sheer figment of writer's imagination. He does not name a single reliable or believable source and everything is down to 'sources'. What a pathetic attempt to distort facts.
It doesn't surprise me that Musharraf, a man of his word, kept his word and the kangaroo court, stuffed with rented judges, led by Taliban supported Nawaz, did not keep their word.
Innocent n true leader bleive in crook leaders promis wy did u do Musharaf uncle.we lv u n we want army to overtake pakistan to save their country which is their duty to save it frm enemies whether they r outside or in side plz come dnt do like kiani Raheel shb.
The current Army chief should have been sent packing after issuing that politically loaded statement. No doubt should be left in their minds regarding civilian supremacy. Musharraf is not Army and should meet his fate, current Army leadership has no business speaking in support of an ex dictator. However Nawaz Should also get punished for appointing his Kashmiri darling. He should not have forgotten Musharraf episode.
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