General Musharraf (retd) has played another clever trick by having involved the then-top brass of the Pakistan Army in the controversial acts he took as president, which has had far-reaching impact.
The fact that he had taken the November 3 steps in consultation with nine corps commanders, the DG ISI who is the current COAS, the PM, cabinet members and governors, boasting that no one could touch him, speaks of his carefully designed clever moves under legal cover. In addition, he involved Saudi Arabia, and the sitting president Zardari admitted of the deal struck between him and General Musharraf, who seemed to be active, in consultations with his legal aides.
The question is whether the top brass should be made responsible for his controversial steps, or should it be assumed that under the command of the leadership of the military, despite having the power of dissent, one is not supposed to disobey the chief of army staff for the sake of saving the unity and integrity of the armed forces.
The former president should give careful statements, keeping in view the spirit of unity and take responsibility for the acts and omissions as supreme commander and COAS. Already, he has got the desired results with the patch-up role of the Saudi King. "No one can touch me" is yet another brag, that seems like blowing his own horn.