[Off-the record conservation with well-informed officials and former
military generals revealed that Musharraf's treason trial has sent shocking
waves across Pakistan's powerful military that is fond of staging coup, and
powerful generals are looking for some
middle way to settle the dispute.]
By Qaswar Abbas
 |
| Former Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf. |
Incumbent Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whom the retired general Pervez
Musharraf had got arrested after toppling his democratically elected government
as a result of a bloodless military coup in 1999, is the man who can save
generals' skin.
Threatened by the court and abandoned by the powerful Pakistan army,
former military ruler Pervez Musharraf finally took refuge in Armed Forces
Institute of Cardiology that is situated merely at a distance of five minutes
drive from headquarter Rawalpindi wherein he
ruled Pakistan for more than nine years.
While the local and international media has widely reported that the
former general who engineered the Kargil war and other misadventures during his
stint as army chief, had suffered a severe heart attack on Thursday and was
taken to military run hospital. However, doctors say otherwise.
A senior doctor told India Today on Saturday on condition of anonymity
that the former military chief who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008 as a
godfather, had not suffered a heart attack, rather felt pain in his chest
probably due to nervousness and fear of something.
" The former General had undergone thorough medical checkup at
hospital. Doctors did not notice any symptoms of heart attack and results of
various tests endorsed it later on," said a doctor associated with Armed
Forces Institute of Cardiology.
It was unclear how long the retired general who enjoys great degree of
hater among the masses in Pakistan probably for allowing attacks on Red Mosque
in Islamabad and killings of Nawab Akbar Bugti, a Baloch nationalist, during
his stint as military ruler, would stay in hospital.
Endorsing the report of sources, General
Azhar Kiyani, a noted Pakistani heart surgeon and former commandant of
Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, told local media that reports of tests
suggested that general Musharraf was hale and hearty.
It all started on Thursday when former general left his sprawling villa
in the morning to appear before a special court set up in Islamabad, the
federal capital, to hear the treason charges against him. Earlier, Musharraf
had failed to appear before the court twice due to life threats. It was then,
the court threated him to issue his arrest warrants in case if he did not
appear before the court on Thursday January 1, 2014.
The retired general who has been under the impression that powerful
Pakistan Army would come to rescue him anyway, left his house in the morning on
Thursday to appear before the court.
However, he got nervous and lost temperament while his motorcade was on
the way to court, soon after he realized that the powerful institution which he
lead for years seems to have finally abandoned him. Insiders say, Musharraf
complained about pain in chest and lye flat on the seat.
Utterly alarmed by the situation, the chief of Musharraf's private
security team diverted the convoy to military-run hospital where the General
was immediately admitted in the Intensive Care Unit of military run hospital.
According to legal counsel of Pervez Musharraf, a team of doctors is
looking after the retired General in army-run hospital since then. However,
hospital administration has so for refrained from issuing any statement
regarding his condition. His wife and
daughter immediately rushed to hospital and reportedly accompanying Musharraf
in hospital while, no one else, is allowed to meet him.
Musharraf's illness has got mixed response from politicians from across
Pakistan. Bilawal Bhutto, Chairperson of Pakistan People's Party termed Pervez
Musharraf as a coward and expressed his concern that the former general might
be doing some drama to escape treason trial.
" I cant believe this coward ever wore the uniform of our brave
courageous armed forces, disgrace,"
Bilawal tweeted.
Off-the record conservation with well-informed officials and former
military generals revealed that Musharraf's treason trial has sent shocking
waves across Pakistan's powerful military that is fond of staging coup, and
powerful generals are looking for some
middle way to settle the dispute.
"Look gentleman, Musharraf's trial has meant a lot for Pakistan's
army. Powerful generals my be silent apparently, but, during their private
meetings they have shown uneasiness over Musharraf's trial that may disgrace
the army as an institution . They would
do something to to save army from disgrace. Sending Musharraf abroad, may be a
best option," a well informed official sources remarked when ask to
comment.
On the other hand, said a close aid of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, told
India Today on Saturday that he wants the court to convict Musharraf at any
cost. However, can, forgive him later on.
" Nawaz Sharif wants court to convict Musharraf, so, that he may let
the world show that he was the politician who initiated treason trial of a
former general and made his case an example for rest of army," said a
close confidant of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
However, Sharif has so for refrained from commenting on the issue.
Political analyst Hassan Kamal says stakes are very high with regard to
the Musharraf trial. if the case proceeds it is likely that the former
president would be convicted.
" In such circumstances the political advantage that Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif would derive would be enormous. As the man who convicted the
former army chief and president, Nawaz Sharif would become an extremely
powerful entity. In fact he would become virtually invincible," Hassan
Kamal says.
It is important to mention here that Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain
last week said he will decide according to the law of land in case if former
military ruler begged to be pardoned.
Islamabad was abuzz with the news on Saturday that former military chief
may leave abroad after striking a deal with the Nawaz Sharif, the incumbent
Prime minister of Pakistan whom Musharraf had forced to leave country in
October 1999 after toppling his democratically elected government as a result
of bloodless coup.
After thirteen and half years later, the retired General is seemingly looking for the similar
deal to save his skin, said many.
Local media speculated on Saturday that Musharraf can leave Pakistan on
medical ground any time. However, India Today got confirm on Saturday ( at
11:25 AM) that Musharraf's name still exist on Exit Control List. Musharraf
needs to get his name remove from ECL to fly abroad.
Ahmed Raza Kasoori, Musharraf's counsel reiterated on Saturday that only
doctors can decide if the former general needs treatment abroad.
"Musharraf can only fly abroad in case if doctors recommend it.
Even, court is bound to follow doctors advise," Kasoori told India Today.