Musharraf may go for another deal to save his skin

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Sunday, August 30, 2009
Former president may seek asylum in UK

By Muhammad Saleh Zaafir

ISLAMABAD: Former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf may agree to another ‘great deal’ that would help him escape trial under Article 6 for subverting the Constitution. The deal would be conditional to assurance on his part to formalise his exile in the United Kingdom and staying quiet for a period of at least ten years. In return, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and other political forces would not hotly pursue the demand for registration of a case against him under serious offences, his arrest and trial.

The understanding would ensure a status quo for the sake of smooth running of the affairs of the government. It would also provide an atmosphere that would enable the incumbent administration to overcome the real problems of the masses. The understanding would not force any of the parties to compromise on their respective positions about each other. The PML-N and others would not be required to give up their demand for action against the former president. It is believed that following the understanding Pervez Musharraf would be consigned to history.

Well placed political sources said Pervez Musharraf, who plans to move outside the United Kingdom in a couple of days, would not poke his nose into domestic politics of the country and would return to a completely retired life.

The former commando general, is believed to become disappointed after his supporters abandoned him. The euphoria for Pervez Musharraf is over as no political stalwart is prepared to assist him to fight his case in the court. The newborn faction of the PML has also ditched its former mentor considering him as “excess baggage” of the past. The new faction has publicly disowned him. The day he was discarded by the last PML faction, the former president decided to get out of the quagmire of politicking.

The sources hinted that Pervez Musharraf could seek political asylum in the United Kingdom if cases are registered and pursued against him by various parties. “If the former president is booked on charges carrying the death penalty, he would be entitled to seek asylum,” the sources said. Pervez Musharraf is in constant consultation with British legal experts for possible political asylum in the United Kingdom.

Interlocutors of the new ‘great deal’ are keeping the details and mode of interaction close to their chest but the understanding is likely to be finalised in a couple of weeks, the sources said.

The sources pointed out that the armed forces are also of the view that their former commander, who wrongly dragged the forces into politics, must avoid any further humiliation to the institution. The thinking and gossip in the barracks about the retired general also suggest that the armed forces should not suffer any further on account of a person who badly misused his uniform. The rank and file of the armed forces is not in favour of aggravating things any more. Sources said Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif are on the same page about the fate of the former president.

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http://www.jang.com.pk/31-08-2009