Islamabad: By all standards it was a big day. We, the pen-pushers, got to the National Assembly hoping to see fireworks on Commando Musharraf’s historic indictment.

 

Yet the National Assembly had this eerie calm, which gave the pretentious impression of business as usual. As if nothing had happened. Or, conversely, it was too big to be talked about – as Harry Potter’s villain who shall not be named. After the big bang, Chaudhary Shujaat’s Mitti-Pao formula seemed to be at work.

 

Trust Mahmood Khan Achakzai for not letting this historic opportunity go unmarked in Parliament. He broke the deafening silence with his loud hurrah for democracy. He believed that Musharraf’s indictment was one of the historic events of Democracy Pakistan: “it’s a defining moment.”

 

In Achakzai’s interpretation of history, the three events that matched the glory of this event were: the creation of Pakistan; the consensual agreement on the 1973 Constitution and the passage of 18th amendment, which appeased smaller provinces by giving reasonable autonomy.

 

He was quick to clarify that a pro-democracy event did not have to be anti-army. “We love our army but we need to protect our Constitution,” he remarked while requesting the generals to absorb the bitter pill. Every organ of the state has to be subservient to the Parliament, even the generals.”

 

Achakzai felt sorry that the Parliament looked the other way when judges were being bullied and insulted by Mushy lawyers. “Judges draw their strength from Parliament and we must stand behind them; hats off to their courage,” said the chaddar-clad Pashtun emotionally.

 

Achakzai was disturbed over rumours that Musharraf might be allowed to leave the country to meet his ailing mother. The clarification issued by the Islamabad Court, saying the decision of removing Musharraf from the exit control list lay with the government, had fueled more speculation. Most people could not believe that Musharraf’s indictment was possible. There had to be a quid quo pro. Achakzai was not wrong in blaming television anchors for rumour mongering.

 

He sympathised with Musharraf over his mother’s ill-health but did not see it as a genuine excuse for his running away. His argument was that Nawaz Sharif was not allowed to return with his father’s body. Former Turkish Prime Minister Adnan Menderes was hanged by army junta but his case continues to haunt the generals. Turkey jailed over 100 army officers recently. He brought in references from Napoleon to what not to press home the point that the treason case against Musharraf should be brought to its logical end. “We have to condemn the person who violated the Constitution, even if it is just a symbolic one,” he pleaded to the House. “If we did not support the judiciary over this, we’ll be culprits before our people and history.

 

Obviously, Islamabad Courts had thrown the ball in the government court as far as the decision to allow Musharraf to leave Pakistan was concerned. The media was rife with speculation about the government’s resolve to take the heat. Many doubted the PML (N) government’s guts to take a stand on the issue. Others believed that the indictment was part of the deal as Musharraf agreed to turn up on the condition that he would be later allowed to leave. Still others believed that the army would not let this happen. Nothing ofthe sort happened in the end. Rubicon was crossed without a whimper.

 

Either out of complicity or incompetence, our media gurus would not see the writing on the wall. Time may have changed drastically. We see our generals submitting before the judicial strictures almost every day in the missing persons’ case. How could the army go out of the way to bail out Musharraf when it bows willingly before the law where the institution is involved directly. Particularly so when Commando invited the trouble by acting against the khaki advice. In Chaudhary Shujaat’s parlance “Hor Gunnay Choopo.”

 

If anybody had any delusions about government intentions, Khawaja Asif made sure that this was clarified. The only fig leaf that the government offered Musharraf was to bring his mother back to Pakistan on an air ambulance. Munda Sialkotia went a step further in lambasting the elements who nurtured any soft corner for the Commando. His message was: leave it to the judiciary what punishment it gives to Musharraf; as far as the government was concerned you will not find it faltering.

 

It was quite embarrassing for those who were part of the Musharraf regime. And there were many who had to swallow this humiliation with a plain face. “We know we have people on both sides who chose to have this black ink on their faces,” Khawaja Asif was ruthless in his diatribe. We saw a whole lot of turncoats such as Zahid Hamid, Raza Hiraj, Riaz Pirzada and Awais Leghari squirming on their seats. “They doubted us all along; no more my friends. If we allow Musharraf to leave then what about thousands of ordinary prisoners whose mothers may also be sick.”

 

It meant something when the defence minister swore that there was no pressure from the army to bail out Musharraf. “And even if there is any pressure, we are committed in our resolve to safeguarding democracy.” Brave words indeed.

 

Apparently, Asif’s bravado was not shared by others. The front rows of opposition parliamentary leaders were vacant. PPP’s main leaders were missing to contribute in this great onslaught against dictators. Traditionally, this was PPP plank. Also missing was PTI leadership – we all know why. MQM bhai log chose to stay away from the troublesome polemics – so much for their love for their former benefactor. All the Mush horses – JUI, JI, Aftab Sherpao – could not put him together again.

 

Tailpiece: Sunday saw the mother of all weddings hosted by a former lord of our spooks for his son. It made sense for the top brass of the army to be there. But the gathering had anybody who was somebody including at least three former Prime Ministers, half of the Parliament, a dozen ministers. Reason: the general remains relevant because of Ya Habibis. Also, it was seen as a show of power by some to stall the crusade against Mush. Wrongfully, of course.

Published on: thespokesman.pk

Date: Monday, 31 March 2014