Former Pak dictator's predicament

This refers to the report, “Court indicts ex-president Musharraf” (April 1). There have been many twists and turns in courts in cases pertaining to the ex-military ruler of Pakistan as it is for the first time in the history of that country that a military ruler is being taken to court, unheard of in Pakistan. In the last moment, Musharraf changed one of the counsels of his defence team who managed to extract a favourable observation from the judge. Now the court has put the onus on the Pakistan government whether to allow Musharraf to leave Pakistan or not, to see his ailing mother admitted in a hospital in Dubai. The court has also observed that since Musharraf is not under arrest, he is free to get medical treatment at the place of his choice, but will have to appear before the court whenever required. This case is attracting global attention. Musharraf put a stout defence, rejecting the charge of treason by saying that he has not looted the treasury of Pakistan, as the nation had foreign exchange reserves of nearly $16 billion and now the reserves were only $3billion. Most probably, Musharraf will be allowed to leave Pakistan as the army will not like its former chief to be humiliated.
Deendayal M. Lulla
Mumbai, India