Contrasting voices on social media on Pervez Musharraf conviction

LAHORE:Following a special court’s verdict in a high treason case against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf which sentenced him to death, the social media was abuzz with anti and pro-Musharraf voices.

The verdict remained one of top trends on microblogging website Twitter with individuals upholding the verdict and those expressing disappointment on the same. It is pertinent to mention here that a special court in Islamabad on Tuesday found General (r) Pervez Musharraf guilty of high treason and handed him a death sentence under Article 6 of the Constitution.

A tweeter, Imaan Zainab, wrote “Congratulations Pakistan! Whether this penalty is enforced or not is yet to be seen but this is big. First time in our history. Hats off to the brave judges!” In her Facebook post Nida Kirmani, associate professor at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) termed the verdict an important precedent. “While I don’t agree with the death penalty for anyone, the real test will be whether the judgment is upheld in any way other than on paper. The larger struggle of course is to stop the military from interfering in politics altogether,” she wrote.

Noted activist Ammar Ali Jan tweeted that he opposed death penalty, yet this decision was important. “We should realise that subverting constitutions & (and) overthrowing govts (governments) is more treasonous than criticising “institutions,” he tweeted this while using hashtag “Musharraf.”

A citizen, Javed Nasim, wrote that whatever Musharraf did was in the best interest of the country calling it treason and giving him a death sentence was unfair and one sided judgment of a court constituted merely on personal vendetta. The ones who looted this country had a constitutional cover and could not be punished, he further observed.

Another citizen, Umar Hafeez, said Musharraf did not come to court to record his statement. The decision itself is a big win for rule of law,” he wrote.

Another individual, Ijaz Ul Haq, tweeted that the verdict against Pervez Musharraf must be considered as a standard to immediately start high treason proceedings as per Article 6 against the culprits of DAWN Leaks and those mentioned in volume 10 of Panama Papers case verdict. A citizen, Adnan, while using hashtag “Musharraf” termed him the first “judicially certified traitor of Pakistan” under Article 6. Syeda Laila Jaffri, a tweeter, condemning the decision terming Musharraf an honest man, saying the economic growth during Musharraf’s tenure was unmatchable.

Another citizen, Arslan Rafique, while posting a photo of former President Pervez Musharraf termed the verdict “totally unfair” and observed Musharraf did a lot for Pakistan. “Just look at his decision regarding lawyers which we understand after 10-15 years,” he further wrote while referring to recent attack on Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) in Lahore by lawyers.