‘A strong parliament can send dictators home’

Reacting to NSA MK Narayanan’s concerns over Musharraf’s exit, former Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif tells HARINDER BAWEJA that India should not forget he was the villain of Kargil

Photo: AP

With President Musharraf gone, do you feel personally vindicated?
No personal vindication. It is a national issue and, of course, Pakistan has been unlucky that out of its 62 years of independence, 33 have gone to military rule. Whenever a military dictator comes he shows no respect to the Constitution. He shows no respect to the law of the land and this time Mr Musharraf even arrested the judges. This is very tragic and disturbing. There is no personal vindication. I would repeat that.

Let me ask you, since your years in exile, how have you evolved personally as a politician?
Well, I think the roots of democracy have strengthened in myself, in my thoughts, in my mind, in my heart, in my ideas. I feel very strongly about democracy and I think that I should now be spending my time to ensure that there is no threat to our system, our democratic structure, the political structure in the country. When the dictators come they don’t see who is the Prime Minister and who is the President. They try to acquire all powers, even the powers of the Prime Minister and Parliament. They simply usurp them and become all-powerful. They are the ones calling the shots. I would like to spend my life, whatever little I have, to strengthen the system and ensure that there is no extra-constitutional step taken by anybody and keep the army also in its barracks.

Is a safe exit for Musharraf part of the deal?
There is no deal. It is very simple, the people of Pakistan gave their verdict on February 18. And I think that the ruling coalition, despite the desire of some of its partners, has not been able to come up to the aspirations of the people.

So what was it finally in the end that did convince President Musharraf to step down because it is often said that ‘commandos don’t retire.’
What kind of commando he is, you know. India knows that best. Therefore, the less said the better. Parliament has established its writ and I think it is a very good thing that has happened. At least Parliament is sovereign. It has been proved to the outside world that if Parliaments are stronger and sovereign, they can send dictators home.

You are saying don’t believe in any kind of deals, so does it mean that President Musharraf will face a trial?
I don’t believe in any personal vengeance. There is no personal animosity between me and Mr Musharraf. Let these personal things be taken out of this.

But he violated and changed the Constitution twice, so that’s not personal.
I was coming to that. But what was done to the state and to the country, somebody will have to answer why he had been doing all this. So, I think somebody must answer, somebody must be held accountable. At least he owes an explanation to the nation, as to why he has done all this. I think for the first time in the history of this country, judges have been put under house arrest. He has to answer why this was done. He abrogated the Constitution twice, he imposed emergency twice and he must answer for this.

He can turn around and say that he answered it in his resignation speech.
No. Nobody would take that. Nobody would accept that. Frankly, he has answered nothing in his speech.

So you are saying that the answers should come in a court of law.
That is how one is made accountable.

Anti-Musharrafism is said to have been the glue between the PPP and your party and analysts in Pakistan are saying that the real test for the government has only just begun.
I think the real test began after February 18. This coalition was formed for certain reasons. One reason was restoration of judges, the second was to make Parliament sovereign. The third was to restore the Constitution to the 1973 position..So, these are the main things for which the coalition came into being and there was an agreement between the two main parties. I think this is the real task before us. The real task is not to run the government and be part of the Cabinet and simply become ministers and come on television. It is in the interest of neither party but in the interest of the country. And if the country gains, we all stand to gain. I am very clear that the purpose for which the coalition was formed must be achieved.

What about the restoration of judges?
This is the main issue now. It has been the main issue for the last five months. And this is the real issue now. And if you talk about the real test, this is the real test. Mr Zardari has made this commitment for the third time. This commitment must be honoured if the coalition has to continue.

But Mr Zardari is clearly dragging his feet on this one.
I don’t want to make any comments on it now because we have given further time for three days. Lets see what happens.

Will the 72-hour deadline be extended again or are you saying 72 hours full stop?
Unless there is any valid reason which is acceptable to us.

In his farewell speech, Musharraf offered his services and said that he is available to give advice to the government. Would you have any need to consult him?
To me it feels like a joke.

India’s National Security Advisor MK Narayanan fears Musharraf’s exit will lead to a political vaccum.
A political vaccum only takes place during dictatorship. India seems to have forgotten that Musharraf was the villain of Kargil. Under dictatorship, there is always a vaccum.

And the peace process in India? Would you like to reassure Indians about the peace process?
The peace process must continue. At the same time, I would also urge India to find a solution to the problem of Kashmir. It needs to be addressed in all its seriousness. Unless the solution is acceptable to the people of Kashmir, the problem cannot be solved.

Part of India’s concern flows from the fact that the US has said the ISI was involved in the attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul. Is the ISI still an independent force, not answerable to the government of the day?
It is not an independent force at all. It is under the government and should stay under the government. And there is no reason that it should become an independent entity. Why should it become independent entity? We will like to ensure civilian control on the ISI.

How do you explain the involvement in the Kabul blast then?
Well, I think the government of Pakistan has asked for any evidence if its there. And if there is any evidence I think the government of Pakistan needs to know. I think there are allegations and counter-allegations and this thing has been going on for a very long time. Unless it is accounted for by strong witnesses and proof, this must be avoided.

What will you say of a President, who was also a former army chief, who in the end was not supported by the new army chief, General Kiyani who he appointed?
I think General Kiyani has gone by the book and that is what every general should be doing in this country. So he made sure that he would not step into politics at all. Not indulge in politics. So if Mr Musharraf expected help then it was wrong on his part to expect that. General Kiyani, I think, has done the right thing.

And how do you explain the army giving him a guard of honour?
That looks very strange to me. And I don’t know whether the army decided to give him the guard of honour or the government of the day did. I think this is a question that needs an answer.

The Home Minister recently said that India is willing to open the trade route to Muzaffarabad but Pakistan is not agreeing.
This is news to me.. I have not been briefed about it by the Pakistan Government.

Last question. Will we see your ministers coming back into government soon?
Only if the judges are restored