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PML-N frames chargesheet against Musharraf
 
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June 10, 2008

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has framed a 10-point chargesheet to press for the impeachment of embattled President Pervez Musharraf [Images], urging its allies in the ruling coalition to move against the former military strongman if he does not resign.

The chargesheet alleges that Musharraf imposed martial law twice, subverted the constitution and violated the oath taken by him as army chief. The retired General kept former premier Nawaz Sharif behind bars, detained judges of Supreme Court along with their families and imposed dictatorship at gunpoint, it states.

The document states that Musharraf planned and undertook the 'Kargil misadventure', concealing it from the elected government of the time and sacrificing 800 officers and men of the Pakistan Army in the process.

It alleges that Musharraf used the army as his personal force, tried to corrupt it and promoted his blue-eyed officers. He used the army for unconstitutional and illegal actions meant to prolong his rule, affecting the credibility of the force, it states.

Musharraf also pushed the army into an 'undeclared war against its own people without seeking approval from the prime minister, cabinet and parliament', which resulted in the killing of over 1,000 army personnel.

Suicide bombings in reaction to this move claimed the lives of a large number of Pakistanis, the chargesheet states.

It accuses Musharraf of blackmailing and subjecting people to torture and abuse and using the National Accountability Bureau to form a political party. It further alleges that Musharraf got Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti killed in cold blood.

Thousands of Baloch political workers were made 'victims of enforced disappearance' with their kin still unaware of their whereabouts. Baloch leaders, including Akhtar Mengal, were implicated in false cases and jailed, it alleges.

The chargesheet states the Lal Masjid in Islamabad was attacked on the pressure of external powers, resulting in the death of hundreds of innocent boys and girls.

Over 650 people "illegally picked up from different parts of the country were handed over to the United States in return for dollars," it alleges.

The chargesheet also accuses Musharraf of setting 'new examples of cronyism, nepotism, corruption and favouritism'.

Unveiling the chargesheet on Sunday, PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan alleged that Musharraf made billions of rupees as his close associates got massive contracts from state-run firms. He also allegedly earned billions of rupees from defence deals.

Khan said these were not mere allegations as substantial evidence is available that could be presented in parliament during impeachment proceedings. Khan opposed the idea of giving Musharraf a safe exit and said that he should be tried for treason.

He also said that the PML-N would formally demand the formation of a commission to probe the Kargil episode so that 'those responsible for the misadventure could be brought to book'.


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