THE whole nation is shocked by the way the special court has sentenced former president Pervez Musharraf to death without giving him a fair chance of a fair trial.

Sentencing a critically ill man without giving him a chance to defend himself is unfair. It is ironic that while the case was sub judice, the outgoing chief justice mocked Musharraf by raising his fist in Musharraf-style and cynically declared that the treason case decision against Musharraf was about to be announced.

His intention showed he harboured grudge against him. All this gives clear indication that judiciary was hell bent on tarnishing the army.

This decision has come in the wake of a controversy triggered by the chief justice regarding the extension in the service of Gen Qamar Bajwa. Generals all over the world are not only given extension in their service but are also recalled to lead the army in times of adversity. But in Pakistan hell broke loose on Gen Bajwa’s tenure extension.

The cases are lingered on for decades without any qualms. The demeanor of lawyers were exposed during their shameless attack on Lahore’s Punjab Institute of Cardiology. Those who have been arrested are not being tried on priority. I am sure the cases against them will be hushed up on one pretext or the other. No lawyer will be punished or barred from practising law.

Musharraf has been targeted in haste. It is surprising that his accomplices — the prime minister, the law minister and the attorney general — were not included even in the investigation.

Judges who took oath on Provisional Constitution Order trampled the constitution but are enjoying respectable status. What kind of justice is this? Judicial tyranny is the name of rash and thoughtless judgement.

Safir Siddiqui

Karachi

(2)

THE Musharraf case verdict is historic in this sense. The judiciary has always succumbed to military pressures and vindicated its extra-constitutional endeavours. Now it has corrected its flawed approach and proved that law is applicable to all.

The logic of exonerating Musharraf because he has fought wars and served country is baseless. Every criminal is usually a good being and often does service to his companions and sometimes to society. It is the act of crime that makes him guilty for which he is punished. Musharraf abrogated the constitution and got indicted.

It is now the responsibility of the political leadership to come forward and lead the country. It should bring intra-party reforms and seek power only through popular support and political struggle to fulfil its political agenda. Parliament should be the focus of all questions for both government and opposition.

The nation must also move on leaving institutional wrangling behind. Instead, it should be concerned about and strive for social reforms, rule of law and civil liberties.

Muhammad Anwaar

Lahore

(3)

THE special court headed by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth sentenced the former army chief Pervez Musharraf in his absence.

Musharraf served the country for more than 40 years and in the end he is getting punishment for the misdeeds of others. Musharraf does not deserve this.

Tayyab Hussain

Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2019