The faces of former President General Pervez Musharraf (Retd) loyalists flashed with dazzling light on Wednesday, when Senator Nilofar Bakhtiar questioned Upper House of Parliament how it could try a person under Article 6, who administered oath to the incumbent House.
The senators belonging to PML-Q, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) - two major players during Musharraf's 8-year rule and some others having soft corner for the military ruler, were bitterly confused over Mian Raza Rabbani's demand, who was pressing the government with full might to try him under Article 6 for treason.
All the MPs who stood by Musharraf during his rule, were shying away to come in defence of their former leader, but this outspoken lady [Nilofar] could not resist her emotions any longer and stood up like a solid rock reminding those who used to beg Musharraf to give them a clean chit for their 'corruption'.
The lady senator who is known for her fiery speeches, stood up and asked: "Is there anybody who could explain to me why the guard of honour was given to him by non other than those who are talking of trying him under Article 6 of the constitution today". This single sentence of Nilofar was enough to seal the lips of those who were moving from pillar-to-post to press the government for registering a treason case against General Musharraf.
Amid thumping of desks from her party colleagues and members belonging to MQM, Nilofar struck another blow, saying could it be possible to try a president under whom elections were held and the present parliament came into being. She said that not even a single senator sitting in this House showed his/her willingness to sign a resolution moved by her for restoration of superior court judges.
"Don't befool us rather focus on real issues, the SC is all set to give an important verdict tomorrow...those who took oath from him [Musharraf], can not try him under Article 6 [and] NRO was a deal, please stop saying it was a transition to democracy," she burst out. She said that even illiterate vendor, labourer know that NRO was a deal to give some leaders a clean chit to come back and take part in the elections.
Senator Saleem Saifullah Khan of PML-Q (Likeminded Group) gave a humble proposal to the government to first try those, who enjoyed the perks and privileges during Musharraf's rule and were now partner of the incumbent junta. "If you are so serious in trying General Musharraf, include everybody whether military or civilian leadership who were with him...they are as guilty as General Musharraf, so let us do it across the board," he sarcastically remarked.
Meanwhile, federal minister for interior Rehman Malik stepped in the House and said that the government will arrest former military ruler Pervez Musharraf as he was a proclaimed offender (PO). "I assure this house that if he lands in Pakistan, he will be arrested because he is a PO. There are three registered cases against him. He has been named in these cases, so ultimately he will be arrested," he added.
He said that the court had already given its verdict regarding Musharraf, saying that they would go by the order of the court. "We have contacted UK for his repatriation and if it did not work, we will issue red warrants for him through Interpol," Malik said. About registration of FIR against the former president Malik said that there was no complaint against him and without any complainant, the federal government could not register an FIR against any person.
"If the PML-N is ready to become a complainant, being direct victim of Musharraf's coup in 1999, the federal government can register an FIR on the basis of the complaint within five minutes," he added. Meanwhile, annual report for 2010-11 of central board of directors, State Bank of Pakistan on the state of Pakistan's economy, as required under section 9A (f) of SBP Act, 1956 was laid before the Senate.
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