The lawmakers in Senate fell short on Friday to pass a condemnatory resolution against former director-general Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) General Hamid Gul for seeking suspension of constitution for a short period in the current circumstances to avoid the looming threat of civil war in the country. The former ISI chief in an interview had called for suspending the constitution with any big changes in the constitution, saying the country is fast moving towards a civil war and the only way out to avert it is that the armed forces of Pakistan should take over.
Speaking on a point of order in Senate, Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) severely criticized the former military general, saying he had spoken the language of terrorists, which is a violation of constitution. "The general must not forget that whatever the county is facing today is because of people like Hamid Gul. And he should be tried under Article 6 and he has openly violated the constitution...what's the difference between him and the terrorists after his statement as terrorists also do not accept rule of law in the country," he questioned.
The Baloch senator pressed for either passing a resolution against Hamid Gul for demanding a martial law or trying to find any other constitutional way out in order to punish him as he has openly tried to ridicule the constitution. However, chairman Senate Raza Rabbani, who was presiding over the session, said that the former general's remarks must not be given so much importance, adding passing a resolution would be like giving him undue importance as he is a man of low stature.
"His [Hamid Gul] low stature must not be given undue importance by passing a resolution but the government should take notice of his statement as for the last few years the constitution is constantly being targeted which is deplorable," he added. Senator Farhatullah Babr of PPP also quite perturbed who said that he does not even want to mention his name as it would be an insult to prestige of the parliament, adding he is the man who has nothing else to do except giving such interview for the sake of cheap publicity.
Saeed Ghani, another PPP Senator endorsed the views expressed by Senator Babar, the track record of the former general is self-explanatory as he remained a staunch critic of democracy throughout his life. Passing a resolution against him, he added, would be an insult to the sanctity of the parliament as he is the man he should be treated the way he deserves.
Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) who is also one of leading counsels of the former military president Pervez Mushahraf in a treason case, also criticized the military, saying the military generals in uniforms could be seen holding press conferences what to talk of a retired general. The MQM senator was referring to a press conference by director general Sindh Rangers Major General Bilal Akber who had said that sacrificial hides' money is used for criminal activities. The senators questioned that if a political party is involved in such kind of crimes, why no arrests are being made.
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