DTN News: Pakistan TODAY August 30, 2009 ~ Former President Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf Trial Sparks Controversies, Gossips

DTN News: Pakistan TODAY August 30, 2009 ~ Former President Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf Trial Sparks Controversies, Gossips

*Pervez Musharraf

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - August 30, 2009: Having full potential to "make or break" the current political dispensation, the trickle-down effect of the issue of Musharraf’s trial, has already started. In Pakistan, the first week of the month of fasting was marked by political controversies and gossips, having its link with the demand of trial of the former military dictator by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan’s second largest and opposition party.

First, there was the controversy of military operation in Karachi in 1992, when the head of PML-N Nawaz Sharif was the prime minister. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) accused Nawaz Sharif for his alleged involvement in the cleanup operation, which left hundreds of MQM workers dead. Adding fuel to fire, the chief of Musharraf created Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-i-Azam (PML-Q) Chaudary Shujat Hussain, who was interior minister in Nawaz’s kitchen cabinet in 1992, disclosed how around 60 workers of MQM were brought from Karachi, tortured to death and then buried in Islamabad’s Margalla Hills.

To clear allegations against its chief, the PML-N went in public saying it was the army’s doing. The Karachi story was not yet over that a list of politicians involved in getting money from the spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was made public by the former chief spy of the ISI Asad Durrani. The list, which reopened old wounds, included name of the former PM Nawaz Sharif.

The starting point of the ongoing controversies was the Supreme Court (SC) decision of July 31 which declared the imposition of emergency by the former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on November 3, 2007 illegal and left it for parliament to decide the fate of Musharraf.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani says his government will try Musharraf if the parliament passes a unanimous resolution. In other words he is saying that his government will not proceed against Musharraf or that pursuing Musharraf is out of question. His slain leader Benazir Bhutto and her spouse struck a deal with Musharraf which allowed Miss Bhutto’s return to the country. The deal was in the shape of controversial National Reconciliation Order (NRO), which provided indemnity to politicians, diplomats and other civil servants involved in corruption cases. The foot-dragging of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to try Musharraf, according to political observers, is caused by the concern that it will upset the guarantors of the deal—the US, Britain, Saudi Arabia and the Pakistan’s powerful military.

Then there are the ones who maintain that putting the general on trial would be a waste of time and effort.

"It would be best to come out of the past and concentrate on the tasks ahead", says Ayaz Amir, a columnist and PML-N parliamentarian.

Though no one appeared on behalf of Musharraf in the apex court to defend him in the "judges case" which was related to the imposition of emergency, yet he is not without supporters to defend him in public, parliament and media on the trial issue. The more prominent among them is the former ruling PML-Q. Its chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has recently said that his party will oppose moves against Musharraf. The MQM has been defending Musharraf since he removed chief justice Iftikhar Chaudary in March 2007 from his position and then onwards. The former dictator has supporters even beyond these two parties.

But the PML-N is adamant on Musharraf’s trial and challenged his emergency in the apex court. The PML-N chief demands that Musharraf should be tried under Article 6 of the constitution. Article 6 of the constitution says "anyone who abrogates or subverts the constitution is guilty of high treason. He who conspires with another to abrogate or subvert it or aids this other person’s act of abrogating or subverting it is likewise guilty of high treason."

If Musharraf is tried for declaring a state of emergency on Nov 3, 2007, so, in terms of Article 6, those who aided him too could be charged with high treason.

Putting the former military dictator and president on trial would be like opening a "Pandora box", having the potential to cause panic, confusion and chaos. To avoid any derailment of the system, the Supreme Court, which emerged more powerful after the successful lawyers movement holds the key. Musharraf’s imposition of emergency, which has been challenged by the PML-N in the Supreme Court will be the focal of attention in days and weeks to come.

DTN News: Pakistan TODAY August 29, 2009 ~ 71 Percent Want Former President Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf To Pay For Crimes: Gallup Survey

DTN News: Pakistan TODAY August 29, 2009 ~ 71 Percent Want Former President Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf To Pay For Crimes: Gallup Survey *DTN News: Syed Kabir Ali Wasti Wants Former President Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf ’s Arrest In Nawab Akbar Bugti Murder Case *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - August 29, 2009: Around 71 per cent Pakistanis want “harsh or mild punishment” to former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf for his unconstitutional steps on November 3, 2007, says a survey conducted by Gallup Pakistan. Pakistan's former President Pervez Musharraf gestures as he talks to media in Islamabad, Pakistan. Pakistan's top court on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 summoned Musharraf to explain his 2007 firing of several dozen independent-minded judges. The court notice allows Musharraf to send a lawyer in his place. “About 52 per cent favour harsh while 19 per cent support mild punishment to the former president, and 15 per cent favour no punishment and the remaining 14 per cent did not give a view,” says the survey launched by Gilani Research Foundation. A nationally representative sample of men and women from across the country were asked “recently the Supreme Court has termed the enforcement of emergency on November 3, 2007 illegal”. Some people believed Musharraf should be punished for this, while some believe he should not. When asked the punishment should be harsh, mild, or none, Majority, 52 per cent, said he (Musharraf) should be punished harshly and 19 per cent believed he should be given a mild punishment for this crime. Fifteen per cent of the respondents did not support punishing Musharraf for enforcing emergency on November 3, 2007 while 14 per cent did not give any response. The survey findings also showed that while there are no significant differences in views on punishing Gen (retd) Musharraf across gender and age, there are notable differences across political affiliations. Those intending to vote for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, the MMA, the JUI and the ANP have higher support for punishing Musharraf, above 80 per cent, followed by the PPP voters and the PML-Q voters (around 60 per cent) and the support is the lowest amongst the MQM voters at only 19 per cent. Related Story....Former President General (R) Pervez Musharraf’s Arrest DTN News: Syed Kabir Ali Wasti Wants Former President Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf ’s Arrest In Nawab Akbar Bugti Murder Case (NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - August 29, 2009: Senior leader of the PML-Q like-minded group Syed Kabir Ali Wasti Thursday demanded former President General (R) Pervez Musharraf’s arrest in the murder of Nawab Akbar Bugti to calm down the sentiments of people of Baluchistan. Talking to The News, Syed Kabir Ali Wasti said he hold the telephonic contact with Talal Bugti, son of late Nawab Akbar Bugti, and Senator Shahid Bugti, son-in-law of Nawab Bugti, and condole with them on the third martyrdom anniversary of Nawab Akbar Bugti. He said the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti was conspiracy to weaken the federation. “I told Talal Bugti that the federation will not be weaken in the presence of family of Nawab Akbar Bugti,” he added. Wasti said Talal Bugti told him that the arrest of General (R) Pervez Musharraf is only solution to keep the sentiments of people of Balochistan in control; otherwise, they will not be satisfied. He said he has invited Talal Bugti to Islamabad, but he refused the invitation, saying that he will not come to Islamabad during the tenure of present government. When asked about the reports about his party Secretary General Hamayun Akhtar Khan’s meeting with General (R) Pervez Musharraf in London, Wasti said, “If the reports of his meeting with General (R) Pervez Musharraf are true, then he might have met Musharraf without the mandate of party.”

DTN News: Iran TODAY August 28, 2009 ~ President Mamoud Ahmadinejad Demands Opposition Chiefs Punished

DTN News: Iran TODAY August 28, 2009 ~ President Mamoud Ahmadinejad Demands Opposition Chiefs Punished *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) TEHRAN, Iran - August 28, 2009: Iran's hardline President Mamoud Ahmadinejad called for the first time on Friday for the punishment of opposition leaders over the unrest unleashed by his disputed re-election. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, delivers a speech before Friday prayers at the Tehran University campus in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Aug. 28, 2009. Iran's president Friday called for the prosecution of opposition leaders over the post election turmoil, saying that senior activists currently on trial should not be the only ones punished. "Serious confrontation should take place with the leaders and main instigators of the incidents. Those who provoked, organised and implemented the enemy's line should be confronted firmly," Ahmadinejad said in a speech at Tehran Friday prayers carried live on state radio. It is the first time Ahmadinejad has made such a call against his political opponents, who have charged his re-election was fraudulent. "Those from lower ranks and the ones who were deceived should be treated with Islamic compassion," Ahmadinejad added, drawing chants of "riot leaders should be executed" from the worshippers. Iran faced its worst crisis since the establishment of the Islamic republic in 1979 when hundreds of thousands took to the streets in week-long protests against the June 12 poll results during which about 30 people -- and by opposition accounts 69 -- were killed. About 4,000 people were initially arrested and scores of senior reformists, journalists and opposition supporters have been put on trial on accusations of seeking a "soft" overthrow of the regime with foreign backing. Opposition leaders including presidential candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi have condemned the "show trials", refused to recognise Ahmadinejad's presidency and vowed to continue protests. The Islamic republic has faced further embarrassment by allegations that detained protecters have been raped and tortured. Iran shut down Kahrizak prison south of Tehran after at least two detainees died of injuries reportedly sustained in custody. Iran jailed several prison guards and vowed to prosecute them but the hardline president on Friday pointed an accusing finger at Iran's foreign enemies and the "overthrowing movement" over attacks on university dormitories and prisoner abuse. "What happened in the dorms and detention centres was part of the enemy's scenario carried out by the dependants of the overthrowing movement," he charged. "Revolutionary forces are innocent of such shameful acts. "Our basijis were beaten up in the street as they were protecting people's rights," he said of Iran's hardline Islamist militia which played a key role in stifling street protests.