Daily Times

Sir: First of all, I would like to say that I am not a big fan of General (retd) Pervez Musharraf. He clearly violated the country’s constitution and overthrew a democratically-elected government. His recent emotionally touching statements are an attempt to mix career with charity to gain public sympathy. Choosing to serve in a professional army is a matter of option and not a compulsion. If one decides to do that, it is in return for reasonable pay, lucrative post-retirement benefits and available career paths. Service in the army should not be presented as an altruistic gesture.

In a strange turn of events, the dictator is behind invisible bars, wishing to go and see his ailing mother outside the country. One must remember that the former dictator, during his rule, did not allow the current prime minister to attend the funeral of his father in Pakistan. However, the current prime minister’s intent does not qualify to be labelled as revenge. If he allows General (retd) Musharraf to leave the country under any pretext, the measure would be seen to be the result of a ‘dubious deal’. At the same time, good-heartedness demands that he should be facilitated.

Justice, on the other hand, demands that the former general should face the consequences of his acts. However, humanity demands that he be allowed to see his mother. The prime minister should ask the accused to appear before the public and commit to return to the country to face the due process of law. If the prime minister does not feel very convinced, he should ask the army to extend the guarantees publicly — and not in private — that the accused will return.

Sohaib Khan

Islamabad