IT is time to put the Pervez Musharraf phenomenon behind us. This needs to be reiterated because there are demands from some powerful personalities for trying the former president. In principle, one cannot oppose the retired general's trial. His enemies say the list of charges against him could run up to 200 pages. But there is need to keep an eye on reality. What the hour demands is that we grasp the broader, national picture rather than focus on the fate of one individual. As we have often pointed out in these columns, there is no place for selectivity in the principle of accountability. If people are to be tried for their acts of omission and commission, everyone accused of corruption must stand in the dock. We know that the accountability system put in place by Musharraf nabbed many high-profile personalities, but it also favoured those who chose to switch loyalty. Many of those against whom the National Accountability Bureau had framed charges were not only pardoned, they were also rewarded with key cabinet posts. At present, too, Musharraf is not the only person accused of crimes; many sleazy characters in the thick of politics today deserve to be brought to justice and stripped of the cloak of innocence they have managed to don because of an opportune turn of events. Deals were ac-tually struck to withdraw cases in the name of national reconciliation.

There are more reasons for our stand. The more forceful argument against a Musharraf trial is its repercussions. In the first place it is doubtful that in the kind of atmosphere that exists in the country Musharraf will get a fair trial, since there are hardly any institutions left in whose impartiality and honesty the people could have faith. Besides a court trial will be a media hoopla that will merely serve to provide entertainment to the millions and be a source of delight for his foes without giving any tangible benefits to the nation. The trial could drag on and undo the benefits of the breather provided by Musharraf's decision to quit instead of facing impeachment. The net effect will be a continuation of the state of uncertainty, with its concomitant, adverse effects on the war on terror and the economy.

Musharraf's resignation obviated the need for impeachment proceedings and has given the political leadership an opportunity to focus its energy and attention on the gargantuan problems facing the nation. What the grand coalition should realise is that, having won a decisive political and moral victory, it now has the golden opportunity to launch a blitz for Pakistan's all-round development. The democratic government stands in good stead with the world, and there is no doubt it will get necessary aid and trade concessions if it succeeds in mobilising the people's energies for developing Pakistan instead of frittering away this opportunity in making a show of what Asif Zardari called “a relic of the past”.