A breather for Musharraf

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Or not?

Finally the Sindh High Court grants Gen Musharraf a breather. But, of course, there’s a caveat, and it is completely up to the government to spoil proceedings and approach the Supreme Court, so the coming fortnight will tell a lot. Going by the recent belligerence of Khwajas Saad and Asif, carefully crafted and timed no doubt, the ruling party clearly indulged in symbolism that netting Musharraf was just as central to Pakistan’s ‘democratic project’ as uninterrupted elections, civilian-to-civilian transfer of power, etc. But it just might be that saner counsels have prevailed, and the prime minister, almost always either procrastinating or caught in decision-making paralysis, is looking beyond his close circle of hawks.

That there are differences with the brass is not even an open secret anymore, it is plain out in the open. And it was impossible for the Musharraf trial not to become a sticking point. So just as the civ-mil cleavage widened the more the government preferred talks, even as the TTP’s campaign of terror went ahead, it was natural for Musharraf to become the litmus test for the relationship, with implications far beyond his treason trial. And the Khwajas didn’t exactly help. The military had kept mum about Musharraf since the Kayani days, and when it did break that silence, on the ECL issue, it expected the prime minister’s team to honour the request, especially since the former president had been indicted. But the shenanigans from then, especially the Geo drama and continued differences over COIN strategy have, according to reports, culminated in clear, and pretty heated, differences following the Karachi airport attack.

And now approaching the Supreme Court to frustrate Musharraf and belittle the GHQ will have very different connotations. The army has already started going its own way in Waziristan, with the government apparently two-steps behind, but claiming “same page” solidarity, etc. Pakistan is faced with existential problems, and politicians’ expectations of democracy seem to differ from common folks’. The government must first fend off the country’s enemies and improve people’s lives before making symbolism, and vendetta, its priority.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Well said. Pakistan had many enemies. Both foreign and domestic. Pakistan had many many detrimental issues economic, education, health and security. The governments time and efforts should be spent in resolving these – rather than settling old scores with a harmless general or albeit attempting to set a standard or precedence for future generals. If sharif really wants to set a standard for present and future army generals then he should do it by leading – not crying like a baby! Sadly he doesn’t have a gone of leadership qualities in him. Mohammed jinnah would be spewing in his grave if he could see the political and judicial community that has ruled Pakistan since his demise. Are we really the children of the great nation created by JINNAH? Wake up Pakistan! Judiciary army politicians intelligence media – if u love your country then come together as one. And lead Pakistan out of its darkness. Sadly, same old story – In the land of the brave and the home of the strong ( Pakistan ) everyone wants to be chief. And no one is willing to be part of a team.

  2. MUSHARAF- bravado loud mouth – army dictator – firangi gulam – dont ever forget .. he is no hero .. ISI rules pakistan since 1947 ..ok ..
    who rules isi and imrankhan and facists pak tv channel insulting even prez of pakistan == firangis ..
    GULAM E AZAMS ==NIGHTCLUB DARBAANS ..
    ALLAH O AKBAR !
    DEATH TO MAUT KE SAUDAAGARS GADAARS ALLAH PLEASE HURRY ..

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