IN your issue of Nov 22 you have rightly pointed out that the crime of 2007 was merely a subsidiary crime whereas it was the crime of 1999 which was the original and basic crime from which emanated the crime of 2007.

As such, if at all Musharraf is to be tried, he should be tried for the basic crime of 1999. If this is done, the crime of 2007 will automatically form part of the charge framed against him.

I have always held, and you have rightly said so, that all the abettors should be tried as co-accused — both in civilian and military set-ups, including the members of parliament who endorsed the original crime.

It goes without saying that Musharraf alone could not have dared to topple the constitutionally established government if the army had refused to support the 1999 coup and, later, the political class had refused to endorse his treacherous actions.

Salahuddin Mirza

Karachi

Published in Dawn, November 23th , 2014