The arrest warrant issued against former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf for his alleged involvement in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007 could hamper his bid to contest the parliamentary elections in 2013.
Irrespective of whether he is innocent or guilty the timing of this decision, issued by the judiciary, seems like a classic case of quid pro quo by the Pakistani authorities. Former Pakistani heads of state are used to spending periods in exile at certain points in their careers, thanks to the machinations of the government that assumes power. In Musharraf's case the favour has merely been returned. The aim is to stop him from entering the country, capitalising on the current situation that prevails there and from swaying the opinion of the voters in a build-up to the polls. The motivation behind these developments is in consequence purely political. Musharraf's decision to skip the court hearing on February 19 is but expected. The game of political cat and mouse has thus begun. But for whose benefit, or detriment? At a time when the country needs stability on multiple fronts — social, economic and political — the last thing the government should be focusing on is Musharraf. It could be a case of making too much of the man.
