Daily Times

Sir: With reference to the many letters on the subject, Musharraf’s trial is necessary to set a precedent in the country. For too long now, people have taken the law into their own hands and have never been punished. Not proceeding with the trial on the grounds that others have not been tried for the same offence will encourage others to break the law as well. We have to begin somewhere, so why not now? It should also be noted that Musharraf may have returned to the country thinking that he would never be tried or punished because our politicians have almost always treated the law with contempt. Perhaps he thought that with the head of one major party accused of corruption and the other having arranged the storming of the apex court, they would never put him on trial. Or he may really have thought that the people would come out on the streets in his defence, forcing the government to free him. He may even have received guarantees from both within and outside the country that he would not be tried.

Whatever the reason for his return, his trial will reveal why he sacked the superior judiciary and treated the country as his own personal fiefdom. Let us proceed with the trial, even if it opens a Pandora’s Box, as his lawyers have threatened.

SHAKIR LAKHANI

Karachi