On Wednesday, Pakistani senators expressed differences over whether former president and military leader Pervez Musharraf should be allowed to return to the country. The Senate weighed in on the issue following statements by the military that it would allow the former leader to return in light of a serious health condition.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senator Yousaf Raza Gilani said he had forgiven Musharraf for his crimes and said he would not stand in the way of the ex-leader’s entry. Noting that the decision is outside the purview of the Senate, Gilani said, “Were you [Senate] able to stop him when he was leaving [the country]? Will you be able to stop him from returning?”
We request all to stop spreading fake news regarding Former Presidnet and COAS of #Pakistan General Pervez #Musharraf . He is unwell and in #Dubai . Pray for his health. pic.twitter.com/TQjNZGB7qZ
— M.Zahaib Nabeel (@zahaibnabeel) June 10, 2022
“These decisions will not be taken by us […] they will be taken somewhere else,” he added in a possible reference to the military.
Fellow lawmaker Raza Rabbani also agreed with Gilani and said that even though Musharraf committed several atrocities during his nine-year reign from 1999 to 2008, the former President should be allowed to return if his health is not good. However, he added that it would be “very inappropriate” if the government were to accord a state burial to Musharraf, who was convicted of high treason in 2008.
Contrary to news reports that ailing former President #PervezMusharraf is returning to Pakistan, is mere sensationalism and speculation. He is critically ill and undergoing treatment, so please respect his privacy and emotions related to his condition, especially of his family.
— Amaan K. Tareen (@AmaanKTareen) June 13, 2022
Several other lawmakers echoed the sentiments of Gilani and Rabbani. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) leader Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said that in light of Musharraf’s ailment, “it would not be appropriate to create hurdles in his return.” Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senator Irfan Siddiqui said a person who is extremely sick should not be denied his wishes. “If not Pakistan, where else will he go,” Siddiqui added.
Furthermore, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senator Ejaz Chaudhary said “Musharraf or whoever went out of the country for treatment should come back and the law should then take due course.”
However, Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan opposed allowing Musharraf into Pakistan. He noted that the country suffered “grave injustices” during Musharraf’s rule, including abrogating the Constitution and silencing the judiciary, but admitted that lawmakers are likely powerless to stop his return, noting, “our hands are tied […] we are practically slaves.”
Message from Family:
— Pervez Musharraf (@P_Musharraf) June 10, 2022
He is not on the ventilator. Has been hospitalized for the last 3 weeks due to a complication of his ailment (Amyloidosis). Going through a difficult stage where recovery is not possible and organs are malfunctioning. Pray for ease in his daily living. pic.twitter.com/xuFIdhFOnc
The Senate discussions were prompted after Musharraf expressed his wish to return to Pakistan and spend the “rest of his life” in the country after he was diagnosed with a serious health condition. Musharraf’s family said last week that the former President is suffering a rare ailment called Amyloidosis, which is an incurable condition that affects vital organs.
“Going through a difficult stage where recovery is not possible and organs are malfunctioning,” his family said in a statement.
Pakistan’s military recently said that it is making arrangements for Musharraf’s arrival from Dubai. The Voice of America (VOA) reported on Monday that the former ruler will return to the country in an air ambulance. Officials also told VOA that the military is ready to repatriate its former head.
The Pak General turned military dictator responsible for Pak army's ill thought out, tactically good but strategically disastrous #Kargil plan is reportedly on his last legs. Gen #Musharraf was a disaster for #Pak & for the region. India unnecessarily legitimized him as President pic.twitter.com/6eYocBiC3Q
— GAURAV C SAWANT (@gauravcsawant) June 10, 2022
Musharraf, 79, seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999 and declared himself president the same year. While his regime was accused of committing numerous human rights abuses, he was also known for efforts aimed at mending ties with India. He began negotiations with India in 2004 to resolve the Kashmir dispute and subsequently reached a ceasefire agreement.
However, after his political allies lost the election in 2008, he was forced to resign. Following his resignation, Musharraf was charged with committing atrocities and treason. In 2016, he was allowed to travel to the United Arab Emirates on bail for medical treatment.
In 2019, Musharraf was found guilty of high treason by a three-judge tribunal and sentenced to death. The tribunal’s decision was overturned by a court in 2020, which dismissed the case against him as “unconstitutional.”
According to Brookings, civilian leaders opposed Musharraf’s rule because he tried to tighten the military’s hold on civilian institutions. During his reign, Musharraf severely undermined the judiciary and in 2007 sacked the then Chief Justice, placed several high-ranking judges under house arrest, imposed a nationwide emergency, and suspended the Constitution. Moreover, Musharraf banned former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif from contesting elections in 1999, in another effort to tighten the military's grip.
Musharraf's actions are believed to be the reason why some sections of the civilian leadership oppose his return, fearing that he may still be able to shape army policy. It was also why the Sharif government brought high treason charges against him in 2013. The military was also furious about the tribunal's decision to sentence Musharraf to death and is believed to have influenced the decision to remove the death penalty charge.
However, Nawaz Sharif had expressed his sympathies for Musharraf following reports of his illness and said that the former army chief should be allowed to return. “I have no personal enmity or animosity towards Pervez Musharraf [...] If he wants to come back, the government should provide facilities,” Sharif said.