PML-N leaders 'in fix' over how to handle 'hot potato' Musharraf cases

Senior Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leaders are reportedly in a fix over how to deal with former president retired General Pervez Musharraf's cases, especially with his presence in the capital, and are uncertain as to how to handle them after prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif comes to power.

The PML-N leaders are perplexed over Musharraf's cases of trial under Article 6 of the constitution for imposing emergency in 2007, his alleged role in the Benazir Bhutto and Akbar Bugti murder cases, the Lal Masjid operation and the judges' detention case, Dawn.com reports.

According to the paper, the information secretary of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), Aasia Ishaq said that the APML has repeatedly said that General Musharraf expects justice from the courts, and is not worried about new political developments in the country, adding that since Musharraf had decided to clear his name from all these cases, it did not matter for him as to which government won the election.

According to an aide to the leaders, the right wing elements, those who had suffered under the former military regime and Baloch nationalists with whom the PML-N leaders had expressed solidarity against Musharraf, will strongly react 'if the country leaves Musharraf under foreign pressure, as it will bring a bad name to the PML-N.'

Sources quoted by the paper have revealed that PML-N should take the matter of Musharraf to parliament and consult with other parties on whether or not to try him for treason.

A party leader quoted by the paper also said that it will not be easy for PML-N to bring upon Article 6 against Musharraf and the party will not be in a position to afford any controversy of this magnitude soon after coming to power.

The Supreme Court has heard a set of petitions seeking initiation of a high treason case against Musharraf for proclaiming emergency on Nov 3, 2007 and seeks the ruling government's opinion on the case.

The stance of the coming government will only be known after June 5 but PML-N spokesperson Senator Mushahidullah Khan said that the ruling government will implement the court directives in letter and spirit.