High Treason

Article 6 of the Constitution of Pakistan reads as follows:

(1) Any person who abrogates or attempts or conspires to abrogate, subverts or attempts or conspires to subvert the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.

(2) Any person aiding or abetting the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason.

(3) [Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)] shall by law provide for the punishment of persons found guilty of high treason.

Former President Gen. (r) Pervez Musharraf holds the distinction of being the only military dictator in the nation's history who imposed martial-law twice. First on 14 October 1999 when he deposed the government of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and then on 3 November 2007 when he declared emergency-rule and introduced his Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO). The first act was later indemnified by parliament, albeit controversially, however the second offence has not received any cover, legal or otherwise. In fact Musharraf, in an interview to the BBC, has admitted his violation of the constitution (reference).

Many rulers in Pakistan's unfortunate history, both civilian and uniformed, have had their sins washed away despite raping the law. Sometimes at the behest of foreign masters and sometimes in the name of reconciliation. It is high time that this despicable practice ends.

If ten criminals rob a home and only three are caught, they must still be punished even if the other seven remain free forever. It is time that this Parliament invokes Article 6 of the Constitution and brings Musharraf and his suited, LLB-holding henchmen (Sharifuddin Pirzada et. al.) to account and sets a precedent that will deter any future violator.