Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: AFP
The 70-year-old told reporters the "whole army" was upset with the treason allegations, in his first comments to international media since he was put under house arrest in April.
The treason claims are the latest and potentially most serious in a flurry of criminal cases relating to Musharraf's nine-year rule that he has faced since returning to Pakistan in March.
The case puts the government on a possible collision course with the army, which is seen as being reluctant to witness its former chief suffer the indignity of being tried by a civilian court.
"I would say the whole army is upset. I have led the army from the front," Musharraf told reporters.
"I have no doubt with the feedback that I received that the whole army is... Totally with me on this issue."
The military, which has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its 66-year history and still wields great influence, has not made any clear public comment on Musharraf's legal woes.
The treason charges relate to Musharraf's imposition of emergency rule in November 2007, and if found guilty he could face the death penalty or life imprisonment.
An initial hearing in the case, being heard by a special tribunal, was halted on December 24 after explosives were found along the route Musharraf was to take to court.
The case is due to resume on January 1, but Musharraf said he had not yet decided whether or not he would attend.
"The way this tribunal was formed, which involved the prime minister and the ex-chief justice, this itself smacks a little bit of a vendetta," he said Sunday.
Musharraf's lawyers have dismissed the charges as an attempt by the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who Musharraf ousted in a coup in 1999, to settle old scores through the courts.
Musharraf returned to Pakistan to run in May's general election - won by Nawaz - but his homecoming proved to be disastrous.
He was barred from running for office almost immediately and then hit with a series of serious criminal allegations dating back to his time in power, which ended in 2008.
These include murder charges over the assassination in late 2007 of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, as well as the death of Nawab Akbar Bugti, Lal Masjid operation and the detention of judges.
Musharraf's tribulations represent a dramatic change in fortunes for the man who led Pakistan into its alliance with Washington's "war on terror" and was a staunch ally of then-US president George W Bush.
To add to the former commando's humiliation, in April he was placed under house arrest.
He has now been granted bail in all of the cases against him and is technically a free man, but threats to his life mean he lives under heavy guard in his farmhouse in Chak Shehzad.
The cases have ground through notoriously slow legal system, moving from adjournment to adjournment with little clear progress made apart from the granting of bail.
There have been persistent rumours that a deal would be struck to let him leave Pakistan before facing the courts to avoid a clash between the army and government.
But no deal has been forthcoming and last week, speaking publicly for the first time since his house arrest began, Musharraf vowed to stay and fight to clear his name.
As the treason case has drawn closer, Musharraf's team have stepped up their media campaign in an effort to enlist international support.
At a press conference in London last week, his British lawyers said they had written to urge the UN to intervene in what they called a "stage-managed show trial".
They also urged London and Washington to support Musharraf to "repay their debt" for his support in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
COMMENTS (53)
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Let me try again if the ET moderator allows this . @Aysha M: I did not mean to be rude, We are in the 21st century, the world is flat and the communities around the world now have the opportunity to learn from one another if not from the universities. I have an interest to learn about peoples psyches and am of the opinion that most conflicts are caused due to lack of background knowledge and more so with the cultural divide than due to the much talked about religious or political divide..
Rex Minor
@Faisal: " Might is right". always prevail.
@Rex Minor: You seem to know very little about Pakistan army? Its traditions are based on the British colonial history
Some have 'twisted logic', some 'know very little', it is a blessing to have commentors like yourself who are able to offer in-depth analysis and judge
@Nadir: The brave commando returned to exactly do that, face the courts
@ahsan: You seem to know very little about Pakistan army? Its traditions are based on the British colonial history.
Rex Minor
Mush has to understand that he is no more in uniform. His handpicked officers are history and the times have changed. The charges against him are most serious including high treason and multiple murders not petty theft that carries a few months or years punishment. We are talking about certain death. He cannot continue to be delusional like Qaddafi in his last days still claiming "my people love me". Grow up and smell the coffee. Even if the army generals are upset they are paid govt servants and public has a right to fire them. Who is he trying to scare or blackmail? Be a man for a change and face the law of the land which you showed no respect.
This is some special ones initiated post, to create space for them to operate.
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks: well said!
@Polpot , Please overcome Kargil and move on, enough of Pakistan bashing and enough of Indian obsession with Pakistan
musharaf good leader because control dollar at sixty three eight years and pia railway and steel mill at good position
Musharraf had no problem facing judiciary had they been fair. But corrupt judiciary, biased media and greedy politicians have made cartel against him. Everybody knows how they have been eating Pakistan for decades and they are now against PM because he is sincere with the country. If people think the has done wrong, then who else has not committed this? Was Nawaz Shariff not an Abettor or Zia-ul-Haq. Didn't he attack supreme court. But the sin of PM is that he gave Pakistan progress.
some Indian agents and anti Pakistan elements are too active in this list. you can see how they are against a leader who is symbol of unity and prosperity.
India has been electing Polticians who are corrupt,criminal cases pending and some if them are not even from India(Sonia Gandhi) they have made foolish decisions but that is okay because they all are reflection of our own faces. We will keep electing them until we change. The issue is not who can run country better Army or Democratically elected Polticians. The issue respect for rule of law and constitution. If Army or Dictatorship is suited for Pakistan the let there be a transparent referendum or change of constitution . By supporting Musharraf today , you are also telling the Army and the rest of the world, we have no permanent system thus no identity.
@polpot: Your name is the same as the the Cambodian Himmler. Who killed his own people in camps. plus your skewed outlook Advisable you change polpot to Hind Himmler.
GOD save Pakistan...http://www.dawn.com/news/1077086/ex-cj-requested-residential-plot-days-before-retirement
"The case is due to resume on January 1, but Musharraf said he had not yet decided whether or not he would attend." He still thinks he is above the law, he is trying to bring in the question of Army's loyalty to the constitution or the miliary institution. Pakistan is finally on the road to democracy and Army should come out and distance themselves from him. The whole world knows that he has violated the constitution, and now whether Pakistanis respect their constitution or consider their authenticity above the laws and constitution. He himself has admitted his violating the constitution on BBC, so should the courts just roll over and play dead for him or rest of the elite class of Pakistan. Let the laws of the land take it's course and if found guilty then punish him accordingly and let it be a warning to those who are waiting in the wings to over throw elected governments. Pakistanis pay through their nose to keep this army in comfort and provide perks to these Generals which are not available to common tax payers, Army is hired and their job is to protect the country from internal and external enemies. They are not forced to join the armed forces but volunteer to serve the country for which they are paid with people's taxes.
The former dictator who appears to be completely rattled with the treason case against him has thrown the trump card of army's backing, which is unlikely as the shrewd NS must have taken the latter into confidence before proceeding with this case.
Musharraf did only two mistakes. One is associating with US on war on terror and results we are seeing every day, second is his Kargil experiment where three thousand soldiers died without reason and their dead bodies were left to the vultures and nature.
If Nawaz Sharif can be spared of his crimes, playing with army in 1999, removing generals like they are his own servants, brought the country to economic collapse and is brother of extremists than Why not support Musharraf. He is a honest and visionary leader, fought two wars for Pakistan, established the a command and control authority to protect the nuclear facility and many more countless service for this nation starting from HEC, NADRA. PIMRA, ....... His government was deep rooted in civil society and was more democratic than these quack democratic corrupts of current time.
"Musharraf says army backs him over treason 'vendetta'" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ That may be so. But what does that have to do with a court of Law? eh?
Retired from military Musharraf keep on playing fool of himself and disrespecting his own institution. Musharraf was the leader and he had to bear the responsibility. He seems to be very fond of taking all credit of any thing he seems done exceptional during his rule then why shy away from the ills he had done. Typically he attitude and behavior shows he is a miserable loser and will gone just like that in history.
@nadir...He himself is army.
We had told him very sincerly that dun come to this country but he never listened like the people of islamic state of Pakistan. Now he is trying to get me involved in this by talking aganist the politicians in all the DEBATE we do with the anchor. We will take revenge dun ask with whom.
Wishful thinking.
@Khalil: Like Bhutto was?
Why should army worry about him? He was going to be dealt under court martial in 1965. Military courts forgave him and he became problem for whole Pakistan. He had been offender in his life. He must be HANGED UNTIL DEATH.
Of course, army can still influence the government if trial gets serious.
@polpot: Stick to your india related topics.
but i am unable to understand that why a corruption case has yet not be open against Musharaf ? . this show his comitment towards his country , his poeples , his forces .Baised judiciary must see this aspect as well . Our judiciary just following the path to a big dezaster by adopting the way of " Khud he applicant and Khud he judge " , judicial killings or terrorism
Musharaf claims all good belonged to him while all evils/bad were because of PM and parliament. FACE the judges whom he APPOINTED under LFO.
By army he means the co-conspirators! Let them come forward and cofirm it or they will all be gradualy fished out. As long as people of his kind are stiill in the army brass, there will not be peace in the country.
Rex Minor
@Nikki: "In Pakistan three forces work, Allah,Army, and Aemrica." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ They work like this"Allah's benevolence Army's Foreign Defence & Real Estate Policy and America operates the drones.
No one is above Law, neither any strong army General nor any other Official...the Damage Musharraf did to Pakistan is an example on its own...he must be punished for his sins so that No One should ever think of Breaking into Pakistan Roots...
God bless you. You are the only country's hope.
@polpot: that was not by all army behind it. It was him and couple of other general but why we need to dig into Kargil only then talk about Siachen as well.
Why has ET made itself the mouthpiece of a criminal being prosecuted under article-6 of the Constitution for high treason?
why TE is not showing comments Bias !!!!!
This mockery judiciary we have no more trust in this system (political puppets) making fun of this loyal and honest man who serve this country with honesty and brought on the path of progress and prosperity and taught lesson to criminals and now criminals and tugs rooming on the streets of country i am surprise to see this stage of our beloved country. Sir Musharif i am an ordinary person and i support you i hope my country men will wake up before its too late Inshallah. god bless you. Pakistan Zindabad.
How can an army forget it's able leader who took bold step save nation from terrorists and religious extremists . No one can deny the above facts . Shia , Ahmadi, Muzahir , and silent Sunnis along with army will take care of Musarraf . Judiciary and Govt. can't touch him .
This Musharraf trying to instigate the Army against the Judiciary and rule of Law. After all, the Army bosses are only employees of the government and cannot wag their tails.
Rest assuer if the whole army is upset and with you then nothig will happen. In Pakistan three forces work, Allah,Army, and Aemrica.
A true soldier of Pakistan will triumph, it is disgusting that people are trying to put away a man with his credentials and let corrupt to the core become president and PM
IF THEY were they wouldn't have let this reference initiate....:) last ditch effortless statement.
I would say the whole army is upset. I have led the army from the front,” Musharraf told reporters ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And led the army straight into Kargil.
If the corrupt mafia can back each other then why not the honest people support Musharraf.
Very true. Our rulers do not want honest leaders. Musharraf is emerging stronger every passing day. Musharraf you will be the ultimate winner.