The Balochistan High Court has indicted former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf on five counts. This is the first time that such a thing has happened to an ex-military ruler of the country. As it is, the Pakistan army is facing a setback. It leads to spinning the scenario that the country is undergoing a structural change. The equation between the army and the civilian government looks to be disturbed. The fate of General Musharraf who had a non-bailable warrant issued against him confirms the theory. It was felt that the Nawaz Sharif government would not initiate judicial proceedings against Musharraf who was still viewed by the army as its own. But Sharif was perhaps understandably vindictive. Musharraf had ousted him from his high seat in 1999 and would have had him sentenced by the Courts. But Saudi Arabia intervened and Nawaz Sharif fled as an exile to that kingdom. Now Musharraf is accused of suspending, subverting and abrogating the Constitution. He imposed emergency in 2007 and had over 60 senior judges put in detention. He is also reported to have known that Osama bin Laden was sheltering in Abbotabad in Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif is anxious to see that the General gets his comeuppance.
Musharraf has been debarred by the Court from travelling abroad. But taking his name off the Exit Control List will have to be done by the Pakistan government. The army has advised the government to let him go abroad. So has Saudi Arabia which has considerable influence in Pakistan politics. The balance of power in the country is still wavering. The army is trying to be back in its stride. The government is evidently trying to use the Musharraf trial to leverage its position.
