KARACHI, Oct 11: The Acting President of Pakistan Muslim League-N, Mr Javed Hashmi, has said that if the party regained rule over the country, it would put to trial not only Gen Pervez Musharraf but all other generals and corps commanders who were in league with him in abrogating the Constitution. The trial would be held under Article-6 of the Constitution, he added.

Mr Hashmi, who is also the party’s Parliamentary Party leader, was addressing as a guest speaker at the Meet the Press programme of the Karachi Press Club on Saturday.

Referring to the ‘black day’ being observed by the PML-N on Sunday (Oct 12) to mark the overthrow of Nawaz Sharif government four years back, Mr Hashmi endorsed the views of Mr Amin Faheem, chairman of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) who had called for a treason trial of certain judges. Mr Faheem had said that the Supreme Court judges who had ruled abrogation of the Constitution under the ‘doctrine of necessity’ valid be put to trial for treason as they had done great injustice to the country.

Mr Hashmi’s opening statement on the situation obtaining in the country and preparations for the observance of the black day was so comprehensive that very few questions came from the audience.

He was asked whether PML-N was invited by Chaudhary Shujaat to join the unified party. Mr Hashmi said Mr Hussain should be asked that who had invited him to join the unified PML.

Elaborating, he maintained that the unified PML was a joint product in making of the ISI and NAB. “The ISI is the most organized party of the country with huge funds at its disposal. The NAB is helping it in cobbling the people facing corruption charges.”

He recalled Chaudhry Shujaat’s repeated statements in presence of his former colleagues that he would prefer to die if faced the compulsion of siding with the army. Mr Hashmi said the unified PML was an extended arm of the ISI.

In reply to a question that why were the elected PMs in the habit of picking junior generals as the chief of the army staff by superseding seniors, Mr Hashmi said that it appeared every premier’s bid to ensure safeguards for his government’s and powerful generals and quarters were always a major threat. It is, however, evident that the weaker ones also could overthrow their selectors, he added.

Gen Musharraf has enjoyed full four years of rule which no elected government in the country has enjoyed. But he failed to deliver goods on any account, he observed. The law and order has deteriorated to such extent that Gen Musharraf himself has to use a tunnel to reach his office, he claimed.

Regarding the ongoing parleys on the LFO, he said that ARD was not involved in the dialogue between the government and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA). Citing differences over the president’s uniform and abrogation of the Constitution by the military leadership, Mr Hashmi was less optimistic about the success of the negotiations.

He said it was PML-N’s commitment and decision not to accept the army’s right to rule over the country.

Mr Hashmi accused the government of dividing the country in separate islands by triggering off the controversy of Kalabagh Dam and Greater Thal Canal as well as other such issues. The general lacks powers to take decisions as he was well-versed only with ‘left-right’ and ‘about-turn’ on the dictates of Washington, he remarked.

Mr Hashmi defended the decision of creating an office of the President for the ARD in addition to chairman and said all decisions were taken with consensus which was a big disappointment to the government.

Earlier, President of the KPC Sabihuddin Ghausi welcomed the guest speaker and Secretary Khursheed Abbasi spelled out the programme.