ISLAMABAD - Pakistan People's Party (PPP) senator yesterday remarked that the departure of former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf from the country would encourage any future military dictator to subvert the constitution.

"Musharraf's escape from the country underscores a disturbing political statement that a military dictator in future can subvert the constitution and escape treason trial as the parliament and the courts can do nothing," said Senator Farhatullah Babar while opening discussion in the Senate on his motion regarding implications of Musharraf's exit from the country while he was facing treason trial.

On the other hand, some lawmakers taking part in the debate rejected the earlier demand of Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rababni that Article 6 (regarding trial under high treason for subversion of constitution) should be omitted from the constitution as it had failed to protect the constitution itself, the parliament and the democracy. PPP Senator Mukhtiar Damrah termed those moments as 'disappointing' when Article 6 would be removed from the constitution while PML-N lawmaker Nehal Hashmi said that Article 6 was not too weak to protect the constitution. Babar Awan said that the actual issue was of its implementation.

Farhatullah Babar, who is also the spokesman of former president Asif Ali Zardari, in his remarks proposed an honest and frank in camera dialogue between the political leadership and the security establishment on the growing disconnect between the two. "Let us sit together, address the concerns of each other without the spotlight of media," he said and demanded for the formation of 'a parliamentary committee to address the disconnection between the state institutions'.

He said that previously all military interventions had the fig leaf of endorsement either by PCO judges or by a handpicked parliament. "But Musharraf's sabotage of the Constitution on November 3, 2007 was 'cosmic apart' from all previous constitutional subversions as far from endorsing his step, the Parliament and the highest court called for his trial of high treason under Article 6." He recalled the unanimous resolution of the Senate of April 18, 2013 and the Prime Minister's address to the National Assembly on June 24, 2013.

"This new disturbing political statement that no dictator in the future can be tried under Article 6 must not be allowed to gain roots", he said.
He recalled a meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto in Islamabad a few weeks before her assassination to discuss how to prevent future constitutional subversion by dictators. According to him, Nawaz Sharif in the meeting in utter desperation made some radical suggestions.
Babar said that 'sit-in of PTI de-legitimised the civilian government and the parliament but legitimised the establishment'. Whether it was planned and orchestrated or not the net effect was that dharna made the civilian set-up vulnerable and too weak to pursue the treason trial.

He said that unfortunately the politicians were squabbling over the issue in a blame game but little thought was given to identify the underlying issue.

"There is a blame game between the government, opposition and the Supreme Court as to who allowed Musharraf to go abroad. But the forces behind his exit were laughing that their purpose had been served," he said.

Separately, a number of lawmakers taking part in a debate on the revelations made in Panama Leaks in connection with the offshore wealth of important dignitaries of Pakistan including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's family demanded that the parliament should be given authority to form a committee or commission to probe the issue. They rejected the proposed commission of Prime Minister under the retired judges. "As Prime Minister's family having been named in it, it would not be right and proper for him to nominate a commission and decide its terms of reference," said Farhatullah Babar in his remarks. "Any decision on investigation commission and its terms of reference should be taken only by the parliament. A parliamentary commission should be set up and parliament should proposed its ToRs (terms of references)."'

Senator Hasil Bazenjo warned that the civilian set up might not be wrapped up due to Panama Leaks.

The chair admitted an adjournment motion (AM) to discuss the arrest of a high profile spy of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) operating across the country especially in Balochistan. Two hours in-camera briefing will be held on April 20 (Wednesday) about the same issue, he said.