Top retired military officials today rejected former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's claim that the whole army was upset with the government's move to put him on trial for treason, saying he should let the judiciary decide his case.
A joint statement issued by Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society president Lt Gen Hamid Gul and Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Association president Lt Gen Ali Kuli Khan said the army had nothing to do with the declaration of emergency by Musharraf in 2007.
The ex-servicemen were of the view that the best course for Musharraf would be to follow the law and let the judiciary decide his case on merit.
Musharraf is set to appear before a special court on January 1 to face treason charges for imposing emergency and subverting the Constitution. The 70-year-old former army chief told reporters yesterday he had the backing of the military and the "whole army" was upset with the treason allegations.
Taking serious exception to Musharraf's remarks, the retired generals said he seemed to be trying to implicate the army as an abettor in alleged offences that amounted to a violation of constitutional provisions that cover treason.
Members of the two associations consider the declaration of emergency and sacking of judges as Musharraf's personal acts, the statement said.
It further said Musharraf's claim that the action of imposing emergency was taken by the cabinet made references to the army irrelevant.
Gul, a former Inter-Services Intelligence chief, is now a key leader of the Defa-e-Pakistan Council, a grouping of extremist organisations like the JuD.
During an interaction with reporters yesterday, Musharraf said, "I would say the whole army is upset. I have led the army from the front.
"I have no doubt with the feedback that I received that the whole army is...Totally with me on this issue."
Musharraf is the first general to face treason charges in Pakistan's history. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment or the death penalty.
