Former president Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: AFP
Former president Pervez Musharraf is unwell and will not appear in court on January 6, Musharraf's advocate Ahmed Raza Kasuri said on Sunday.
Speaking to Express News, Kasuri said a request will be submitted in the court, seeking exemption for Musharraf from personally appearing before the bench.
The 70-year-old was taken ill and rushed to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi on January 2 as he was being transported under heavy guard to hear treason charges against him at a special court in Islamabad.
The former military ruler is due to appear in court on January 6 and face treason charges under Article 6 for suspending, subverting and abrogating the Constitution, imposing an emergency in the country in November 2007 and detaining judges of the superior courts.
It is the first time in Pakistan’s history that a former military ruler has been put on trial for treason.
Musharraf's wife, Begum Sehba Musharraf, had requested the government to remove his name from the Exit Control List (ECL) as his medics and aides consider shifting him abroad for treatment.
However, the Shuhada Foundation of Lal Masjid had also submitted a request in the Islamabad High Court to stop Musharraf from leaving the country.
It as decided that Musharraf’s medical reports will not be made public and were sent to experts in Britain who will determine if the former ruler needs to be shifted abroad.
According to sources close to Musharraf, he is likely to fly out of the country as part of a ‘secret deal’.
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what about those who donot accept your talks and constituion
@Syed: From which side of the issue you are talking? You mean Mush should be tried & punished if found guilty or are you saying when all rulers are bad, why pick on Mush?
If the justice has to be justice and real then try all aides and abettors otherwise what kind of justice is this. It will be a mockery of justice and vendetta pursued at the expense of national interests and issues.
@Kaleem: You have reiterated a good point. Democracy has always (and correctly) been called the most inefficient & ineffective form of government. The only thing in its favour is the democratically elected government can be changed without a bloodshed. If Pakistanis start feeling jealous about India's sustained belief in progress under democratic rule, it is a healthy sign. I hope the younger brother will follow in the footsteps of his elder brother & stay with democracy & together both will prosper. It is time Pakistan shows the Khaki who is better & hence the BOSS!
@Everyone who bashes democracy in support of Musharraf: It is this urge of getting overnight results that we have lost 66 years. India is moving ahead and we are still discussing if considering constitution a prostitute, is valid or not. Out of 66 years, Democracy just achieved one complete term last year, that's a shame. If PPP has not performed, people have not re-elected them. Now people are closely watching PMLN, If they dont perform, PTI is next.
I am Pakistan, i am with Mushy.
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks: This is the second time I have proposed it!
The entire episode demonstartes the infinite arrogance of the Principal Protector of the accused ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And I will be amazed if this sees the light of the day.
@Shan: @Jat: I have no idea what the rocket launch has to do with Musharraf or his medical condition. As for Mush, he needs to be brought to book for the Kargil misadventure when our brave soldiers lost their lives for nothing and our country was humiliated. If he is taught a lesson, perhaps future Generals will think twice before they highjack the country.
Those advocating Musharraf’s release or his secure departure abroad or declaring him as “clean”, “innocent” etc are just behaving like JI’s Munawwar Hassan, who called TTP’s HakeemUllah Mehsud as “shaheed”. . There is no difference between Musharraf’s & TTP’s ideology. Both of them do not believe in the supremacy of law!
Commando "Thussss"
Hey fellows, Mr Parvez Musharf is a human and when he complained about the pain in heart, the first thing which the doctors of any hospital must have done is to put him on a drip in Intensive care unit and will keep him there resting until the diagnostic is carried out and treatnment is complete. He will stay in such conitions for weeks if necessary in the hospital or in flight aided by medics.
Rex Minor
No appearance means no indictement. Mission accomplished Commando!
@SBK-05: I think it is very viable idea, wish some one in Pakistan could give some thought to it.
Even govt. and opposition is in trap now. If Musharraf is prosecuted so will, so many, even those who are ruling will be out of the game. This is double kill trap.
Taking into consideration the security aspects of the accused in Mumbai Bomb Blasts case, the hearing of the case was conducted by creating a 'bench' in Arthur Road prison. Pakistan must take a similar practical decision & establish a temporary bench in Mush's farm house which is his 'deemed' prison. This will put to rest all the monkey tricks of Mush and, God willing, the trial will proceed!
Why is no information being shared by the AFIC? Why iSPR is keeping silence over the illness of PM? Why again integrity and respect of the Army has been brought under question? Why all the respect earned during the General Kiyani term is at risk of being lost? It appears that Nawaz Sharif has repeated mistake by superseding the seniority?
@polpot: All military dictators in the past made mockery of their country's constitution and got away unscathed till date. Therefore, Pak military would ensure that the past record remains unbroken, and their supremacy over the civilians continues. One is reminded of a famous American epic war film 'Saving Private Ryan' but in this case it is 'Saving Gen Musharraf' which will also be a huge success in Pakistan.
Musharraf should not have returned back to Pakistan. After allowing his return, the Judiciary, political parties and Election Commission, all of them should have shown maturity and allowed him to contest elections freely. They all made a mockery of article 62 and 63. They issued Interpol arrest warrants for the arrest of Musharraf when he was abroad but when he returned to Pakistan they did not arrest him immediately on his return. They kept victimizing him by not allowing him to contest elections freely. They did not even charge him for treason immediately on his return.
I think all the criminals should refuse to appear before courts. Get medical certificate and avoid trial. Mera sohna pakistan
Where is APML. Why no one is comming on roads in support of Musharaf. He should realise now that he is not welcome in pakistan
Mushi come to england and claim asylum
Whatever corrupt rulers have done it does not give any right to a General to take over Government. Army is paid to defend our borders not to rule but unfortunately our army has not been able to bring peace in the country. If army chief can't do his job properly does it mean a civilian should be made chief of army staff.
@ Triq Alvi retd
Ever heard of discretion being the greater part of valour ?
Like ZA Bhutto he should not walk into a judicial trap setup illegally by NS and for the nation to cry later over a judicial murder. Dead men tell no tales and the crooks like NS and Cyclop Chaudhry will only benefit from the conspiracy thay had hatched with one of the planted judges in the trial bench who had promeised Mian jee that he will handcuff Musharraf when he appears in court and put him under arrest at Simly Dam rest house rekki of which was earlier done by NS and Mr Bean in an unmarked car. The media has already exposed the conspiracy
According to the reliable and independent sources that A secret deal has benn committed and under the deal Musharraf is going out. It is also wrong to say,country's powerful establishment did not support its former cheif and the former president Sudden change had come under a planned programm,and he was admitted in the millitary hospital where no civilian authority could interfare with. Case had become a ''Pandora Box.which is going to open and many unknown figures wanted to close it so powerful command has created a option which is acceptable to all.
All the best wishes. We hope you get well soon. God Bless!
While flight or flight is being debated, elsewhere in the Indian subcontinent, the launch of GSLV-D5 has been a complete success, putting into geosynchronous orbit the GSAT-14 communication satellite.
@khawaja Amiir:
The test is very easy, ask Nawaz to stop the plane of Raheel Shareef from landing and see what happens. This time he may not even be able to go to Saudia.
Where is the party of fake "Tigers"? Seems like they were fooling the Pakistanis all along.
Will Mushrraf be given a ceremonial sendoff this time around as well? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Just asking.
We have two very "brave" leaders, one Nawaz Sharif, and the other Pervez Musharraf. Both were/will be "forced into exile" in the Saroor Palace, with suitcases filled with gold, and cash. On the other hand, their "coward" Pakistanis supporters were not brave enough to take up a luxurious exile, and were left behind, some in jail cells next to their fleeing leader.
@khawaja Amiir "No dictator will ever try to play with democracy." But the democracy will continue to play with Pakistan and the poor Pakistanis.
@Khan: Mr. Khan, i'd like to apprise you on several very profound mistakes that you have made you in your post. First of all you are taking a very narrow definition of Mohajir which includes only urdu speaking migrants of 1947 partition. This definition is wrong as its same as the one used by MQM. General Zia ul Haq was also a Mohajir. He was born in Jalhander in 1924 and joined British army in 1943. Please check your facts.
Musharraf the Dictator must be tried for treason and if found guilty must be hanged. Also all his bank accounts must be audited. He was paid as an army general so there is no way he should have billions of Rupees. Any money that can not be accounted for the way a person has got it should be assumed to be got from fraud. Also he must pay the full cost for his medical treatment. He should not be given special treatment. He must be treated like ordinary Pakistan person.
While we are crying for musharaf, today india launch there GSLV rocket sucessfully. http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=110250617#post110250617
Musharraf is fooling the nation and honourable courts. If he has courage, He should appear before courts instead of hiding in the hospital.
No appearance, no indictment. Mission accomplished Commando!!
Drone attacks and suicide bombing started in Pakistan in Musharraf era. We demand strict punishment for Musharraf.
He will not leave country illeagaly . Option of secret deal will remain always open for him . The quetion is with whom he will prefer to deal with . One thing is clear that there is no need of such deal with the army and his supporters .
The gift of "WAR AGAINST TERRORISM" was given by Musharraf to this nation. Pakistan is still suffering due to this gift. He destabilized Pakistan.
This SSG commando should be dragged to the court room. He is killer of hundreds of Muslims. There are many missing persons in Pakistan only because of this commando. Ex PM Nawaz Sharif was tied in the plane. He was tortured in Attock Fort. He was brought before the anti-terrorist court. Entire army is ashamed of this Musharraf. There should be no mercy for Musharraf. He should be severely punished.
Our judicial system has become seriously corrupt and biased under the so called independent judiciary. Auditor General's report this week on Islamabad High Court is an eye opener. Musharraf is an honest person and loyal to the country and people living in it. He is being punished for his love to the country.
Amusing discussion.
Democracy is not the number of votes. Democracy is justice and rule of law.
I ask my emotional folks - do we have rule of law now?
We are already reaping fruits of the democracy. Can anyone Musharraf basher tell me what improvement has this democracy brought to life of a common man. While era significantly improved economic conditions and brought prosperity. It seems we deserve to be ruled by the corrupt leaders.
Musharraf satnds discredited but along with him he is discrediting his parent organisation.
Democracy is a fraud that sucks the poor
No dictator will ever try to play with democracy. Who will want their family to beg democratically elected Government to let "General Saab" leave country to save his life.
How things can change so quickly.
It was go musharaf go now its run musharaf run.
@excalibur: If the case is false then why this coward is not facing court. He needs to come out of it clean or he will rightly be called a coward. He Iis prepared to take 8 hours flight to the UK but too ill to travel a few miles to stand befire court. Ex. Army men are ashamed of what he is doing.
Instead becoming emotional try to understand the matter. it is not just PM rather will be a very long list for trial. Civil and military brass know it. It looks some back door understanding has developed. Change of route from court to hospital and that too in the presence of already deployed police, rangers and elite corp on new route speaks of some understanding between civil and military elite. Better for both parties PM leaves the country. Old cases be buried. See in the future. Now military brass has become conscious and may not make any such attempt in future. In present scenario this is the better option failing which will cause bigger damage to the country. Hope sanity will prevail amongst all.
fake justice system, whats going on with other Punjabi and Pathan generals who engineered the elections of late80s and 90s, yeah they are sitting on their couches at their homes and smoking cigars but PM is in trouble because he is not Punjabi or Pathan general however he is a mohajir general
@polpot: You think mockery of constitution is something, but mockery of justice is nothing? I feel sorry for you and alike.
Dictator Mush has been to hospital now but even before that he never appeared before these judges of HC. It is beneath the status of a Pakistani general to appear before a court. Even retired generals cannot be brought to justice they remain above the constitution. Such is the value of our constitution which binds the federating units! From surrendering half of the country to hosting OBL in an army base there has always been a general and usurper involved.
So he wants flight not fight how bad!.
ET stop using the infamous ' sources' routine to pass on untruths as facts.
The case is clearly mala fide ab initio and Musharraf does not need any kind of a deal at all He is a free citizen and will move around as may be his desire. He needs no favours from anyone.
If Musharraf flies out of Pakistan... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ it would be a mockery of Pakistans constitution and political maturity of the country.