Media cautions judiciary in pursuing cases against Musharraf

Islamabad: Pervez Musharraf`s fall from grace had already been foretold but the judiciary will have to act with caution as it pursues cases against the former military strongman, the Pakistani media said Friday.

News of the Islamabad High Court`s order for Musharraf`s arrest and the former President`s dramatic flight from the court complex dominated the front pages of Pakistani dailies and TV news channels. Pakistanis took to Twitter and Facebook to discuss Musharraf`s arrest this morning, with many saying he should now be held accountable for his actions during his years in power. The Express Tribune headlined its report "A general retreat" while the headline in the influential Dawn newspaper was "Musharraf’s luck runs out". The Dawn advised the judiciary to proceed with caution while taking up cases against Musharraf. Several cases have been filed against the former military ruler over the imposition of the 2007 emergency, the assassination of Pakistan People’s Party chief Benazir Bhutto and the 2006 killing of Baloch leader Akbar Bugti in a military operation. "With the history of the courts` clash with the dictator still fresh in our memory, the former should be careful as the cases against the latter are heard. Not for a moment should anyone be able to accuse the courts of pursuing vengeance rather than justice," the editorial said. Other dailies were less restrained with their headlines, the one in The Statesman read "Musharraf flees court with tail between his legs" while `Pakistan Today` headlined its report "The runaway general". PTI