Musharraf yielding to pressure ?

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, DEC. 28 The military government in Pakistan is in a generous mood these days vis-a-vis politicians detained immediately after the imposition of army rule in October 1999. After the all-round flak for the deal with the former Prime Minister, Mr. Nawaz Sharif, which led to his exile to Saudi Arabia, it is reviewing the cases of all detained politicians.

The former Finance Minister, Mr. Ishaq Dhar, was released on Wednesday night. A couple of days earlier, the former Information Minister, Mr. Mushahid Hussain, was released after 440 days under house arrest. Mr. Hussain, who was considered to be very close to Mr. Sharif, was under house arrest at his sister's residence in the national capital. No charges were framed against him.

The release of Mr. Hussain is seen as a response to the criticism from various quarters to the exile of Mr. Sharif despite grave charges against him and the discriminatory treatment against other politicians.

Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan, another close aide of the former Prime Minister, is likely to be released soon. It appears that Mr. Khan has negotiated a deal with the military government by disassociating himself from Mr. Sharif.

On Sunday former Balochistan Chief Minister, Mr. Nawaz Zulfiqar Ali, was released by the Regional Accountability Bureau (RAB), Balochistan after he paid a penalty of Rs. 50 million for the loss purported to have been caused by him to the exchequer against various allegations.

He was detained under the notorious National Accountability Bureau Ordinance for alleged misuse of official funds for developing a farm he owned and other irregularities in use of discretionary funds.

The NAB Ordinance was promulgated by the Musharraf Government within weeks of the take-over and was meant to deal with all the `corrupt' politicians. It led to a hue and cry from the politicians and business community for alleged indiscriminate detention of a large number of eminent people.

Yielding to pressure Gen. Musharraf removed the NAB chief who was considered to be very tough and appointed a serving general in his place. An ordinance was promulgated to let off those prepared to compensate for the loss to the exchequer on account of defaulted loans from nationalised banks.

The accountability drive took a beating with the exile of Mr. Sharif and the Government appears to be willing to let off those who are prepared to pay the penalty.

At one stage there were suggestions that leaders of the Pakistan People's Party including the former Prime Minister, Mrs. Benazir Bhutto, and her husband, Mr. Asif Zardari, who is in jail for the last five years, could also avail themselves of the facility. However the PPP promptly turned down the suggestions and said it would prefer the matters to be settled by appropriate courts.

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Section  : International
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