By appointing a special tribunal to try Musharraf, the Sharif government is sending a strong signal to the military – particularly its senior commanders – that they are not above the law. This message is especially important now, given doubts about the government’s resolve stemming from its decision last June to drop high-treason charges against Musharraf for leading, while serving as Chief of Army Staff, the 1999 coup against the elected government, headed by Sharif himself.