Make a beginning now, at least. Another president who was pressurised with threats of impeachment has stepped down by tendering his resignation with the last address to the nation. Unfortunately he has also been given a safe passage like many others. He has been boasting about accountability throughout his tenure. But when his own turn came he is being given a safe passage and allowed to go scot free against the demands of the people of Pakistan. A charge sheet was reportedly drafted by the ruling coalition, but no action has been taken till now and probably will not be taken since PML-N has decided to sit on the opposition benches due to persistent betrayals of the PPP's co-chairman. Musharraf who came in power in 1999, patronised and favoured many, which led to the creation of the Kings party (PML-Q) and what not during the period that ultimately ended on August 18 only at his own sweet will. But why Musharraf should not be tried in court? He was the fourth military ruler of the country in a little more than six decades. Over the years, he was preceded by General Muhammad Ayub Khan, General Yahya Khan and General Ziaul Haq. If Musharraf had overthrown a civilian government in October 1999 as the COAS, Ayub had ousted the central government of PM Malik Feroze Khan in October 1958 as the first Muslim Commander in Chief of the Pakistan Army, however, he was shown the door by his successor Yahya Khan in 1969. Finally, Zia had staged a midnight coup against Bhutto's government in July 1977. So, Musharraf had not committed a greater sin then the previous military rulers. If they were not punished then why impeach him now? As a matter of fact, this impeachment and invoking Article 6 of the constitution should have been done much earlier. But still, it can be said, "Better late than never." The nation and the people are paying a heavy price for not punishing the civilian and military rulers for their crimes while in power over the years. If the process of punishing the guilty, irrespective of being in civvies or khaki verdi, was initiated when the first ruler had resorted to adventurism then, it would have set a good tradition for others and Pakistan would have escaped many bad times including the great tragedy of the Fall of Dacca, abrogation of 1956 constitution, holding the 1973 constitution in abeyance time and again, selling of land's rivers to the hostile enemy, selling of Pakistani nationals for peanuts etc. Still, this scribe dares to say: better late than never. Those guilty must be punished at all costs, under all circumstances as nobody is above the law and supreme national interests cannot and should not be allowed to become subservient to petty vested, personal interests, please. Make a beginning in the right direction at least now, please. It is never too late if you are up to something good to make amends for the past blunders and mistakes. The writer is a freelance columnist