PRIME Minister Gilani and Mian Nawaz Sharif have observed that General Musharraf should be put on trial in a court of law. They are absolutely right that he should stand trial for his deeds. Merely wishing that the General should see the inside of a courtroom appears to be a rather tall order and would not materialise unless the government machinery practically gets into action and bring him back all the way from Britain. The absence of an extradition treaty between the UK and Pakistan is surely an impediment, but given the gravity of the situation that shouldnt be allowed to prevent justice from taking its course. So now it all boils down to the will of the government. The arrest of Hamesh Khan from the US shows that criminals, however powerful and influential, can be easily apprehended provided the government shows its muscle. So with the ruling dispensation not bothering about political expediency, there is reason to believe that Musharraf can be put in the dock. The other day, the Prime Minister stated that the Supreme Court must also summon the architect of the NRO. In a way, the PM must be vexed by SCs determination to ensure the implementation of the NRO verdict and had made the statement in order to draw a red herring across the path. Nonetheless, there are many other cases against the General as well. The most important of them is the murder of Nawab Akbar Bugti for which the Balochistan High Court has issued his warrants. He has also been charged with murder for the role he played in the Lal Masjid bloodbath. Similarly, there are charges against him for imprisoning the judges in their homes after November 3, 2007. Back in London, living like a lord, General Musharraf seems very ambitious about his political future and is planning to launch a new political party. Often times he has tried to dispel the notion that he was afraid of returning to Pakistan. That would show the typical commando streak in his personality. But if he is really serious in making a political comeback, he must return at once and face the courts. Taking refuge indefinitely would only lend credibility to the view that he is really guilty of all the bad things he is being accused of. More importantly, it would be a folly to believe that the courts in Pakistan are out there to exact their revenge on him. Far from that, the judiciary is independent and giving impartial decisions. The executive can play its part and must ensure that the General is produced before the courts.