FIR against Musharraf could hit Pak's current democratic dispensation: Editorial

Islamabad, Aug.12 (ANI): Following the registration of a case against former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf for illegally confining Supreme Court judges during the emergency in 2007, speculations are rife that the latest development could have a far reaching effect on the current democratic set up of the country.

While it still remains to be seen whether the former Army chief would actually be prosecuted under the charges of high treason, an editorial in a leading Pakistan daily said the case being registered against Musharraf by Islamabad police may start a dangerous confrontation between Musharraf's critics and his close associates, who had supported his November 3, 2007 move.

The Dawn editorial said that if Pakistan's political circle decides to initiate a legal war against Musharraf, then it should also be prepared to deal with the potential impact on the current democratic dispensation.

It is hard to believe that Musharraf and his associates would surrender meekly before the court of law, it said.

The editorial said the focus should be on sustaining the transition to democracy rather than to prolong the blame game to find the culprit behind ruining the country.

"The lesson of the Musharraf era, and of the dictators before him, is clearly that institutions need to be strengthened and imbued with a democratic spirit. That perhaps is where the nation's energies should be focused," the editorial concluded. (ANI)