News / Politics
Pakistani Leader Nawaz Sharif Demands President Pervez Musharraf Face Trial for Treason
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has stepped up his call for President Pervez Musharraf to resign and demanded that he face treason charges for beginning an unauthorized war with India in 1999.
Sharif, who was prime minister when Pakistan and India engaged in the three-month long Kargil war, has accused Musharraf, the army chief at the time, of starting the war without informing the government.
Sharif’s contention that Musharraf entered battle with India without consent was echoed by senior retired army general Lieut-Gen Jamshed Gulzar Kiani who told Geo TV, “In my view, Nawaz Sharif did not know anything about Kargil, he was never briefed by the army.”
After three months of bloody warfare Sharif pulled troops out of Kargil in July. Many inside the military were critical of Sharif’s decision yet Kiani has admitted Musharraf’s plan was flawed and would have led to defeat. Upset over Sharif’s decision Musharraf led a coup d’état in October that overthrew the government and gave him power.
Since holding office Musharraf has been criticized for appeasing the U.S., especially during the war on terror. Kiani has said the decision to work with the United States has led to a rise in suicide bombings within the country and put Pakistani citizens in greater danger.
Kiani has come out in support of Sharif’s stance stating, “Pervez Musharraf should be punished and made an example so that others do not dare do such damage to the country again.”
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