In an unprecedented turn of events in Pakistan, the judiciary on Thursday, for the first time ever, challenged the military by ordering arrest of former dictator General Pervez Musharraf in connection with the sacking of 60 judges during emergency rule in 2007. Musharraf, 69, had appeared in the Islamabad High Court on Thursday morning to seek extension of his interim bail. However, rejecting his plea, Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui ordered the police to arrest him immediately.
This judicial action has ignited debates across the sub-continent with a few analysts considering it a welcome change considering the hegemony which the Pakistan military enjoys in the country. Alok Bansal, a senior fellow at Center for Land and Warfare Studies (CLAWS), said: ‘The military might step in now as putting a former chief behind bars is a huge development in Pakistan.’
Professor Mathew Joseph C, Jamia Millia Islamia, said, ‘This action is about sending a message by the pro-active judiciary in Pakistan.’ On whether military will react, he added: ‘Musharraf could not have returned to Pakistan from his over five years exile without the military’s consent. However, I don’t think that General Ashfaq Kayyani would react at this point as the mood is against Mushrraf. If military speaks for Musharraf now it may go against them.’
Meanwhile, it was high drama in Pakistan as after the order against Musharraf, he was whisked away from the court by his bodyguards. Even as the police tried to reach the former president, his bodyguards rushed him out of the courtroom to his black SUV.
This judicial action has ignited debates across the sub-continent with a few analysts considering it a welcome change considering the hegemony which the Pakistan military enjoys in the country. Alok Bansal, a senior fellow at Center for Land and Warfare Studies (CLAWS), said: ‘The military might step in now as putting a former chief behind bars is a huge development in Pakistan.’
Professor Mathew Joseph C, Jamia Millia Islamia, said, ‘This action is about sending a message by the pro-active judiciary in Pakistan.’ On whether military will react, he added: ‘Musharraf could not have returned to Pakistan from his over five years exile without the military’s consent. However, I don’t think that General Ashfaq Kayyani would react at this point as the mood is against Mushrraf. If military speaks for Musharraf now it may go against them.’
Meanwhile, it was high drama in Pakistan as after the order against Musharraf, he was whisked away from the court by his bodyguards. Even as the police tried to reach the former president, his bodyguards rushed him out of the courtroom to his black SUV.