In this photograph taken on March 23, 2013 Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf leaves after a press conference in the Gulf emirate of Dubai. PHOTO: AFP
While the special court, constituted for high treason trial of former military strongman General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, is set to resume the hearing of the case today amid growing speculation, one of his lawyers claims ‘he will appear today (Tuesday) under protest with a fiery speech.’
“Non-appearance can put the former army chief in trouble, as the court can issue non-bailable arrest warrants,” he told The Express Tribune, adding that Musharraf’s legal wizards had drafted a speech for him, highlighting his concerns against the treason trial.
“Musharraf will address the court in a furious tone and will present the facts about the circumstances in which he decided to impose emergency with consultation of political and military leadership,” he said.
He said Musharraf’s team could not say anything about his health condition in definitive terms.
“But one thing is clear. If something happens to him, the state will be responsible for this loss as doctors have already suggested that he is tense and pressure can cause severe heart attack,” he added.
One of Musharraf’s senior lawyers, Anwar Mansoor, also said their client had not cancelled his plan and that he had pledged to appear before the court. At the last hearing, Mansoor had given his personal assurance to bring Musharraf on February 18.
The special court had alsogiven him a verbal assurance that it was not necessary that the accused be slapped with high treason charges on his first appearance as the court was yet to decide the question of its jurisdiction. Musharraf’s bail guarantor, Major General (retd) Rashid Qureshi was also directed to appear before the court on February 18.
The lawyer of Musharraf’s team said the former president would raise objections over court’s constitution and jurisdiction but in case the court decided to frame charges then they would block this move: by walking out or contesting the charges.
Ahmad Raza Kasuri –the chief coordinator of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) and one of senior members of his legal team – said that today is ‘the day of surprise’ because his appearance will also be a surprise.
“In a meeting at Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC), Musharraf assigned me the new responsibility and we also discussed about court appearance,” Kasuri said.
He did not deny when asked about a speech that was prepared for Musharraf to address the court on his first appearance.
Today Anwar Mansoor will continue his arguments against the constitution of the special court, while Khalid Ranjha, another member of Musharraf’s team, will continue his arguments on his petition that seeks transfer of this treason case to a military court.
The special court constituted to try Musharraf for promulgating emergency on November 3, 2007 observed on Wednesday that despite the unanswered question of the court’s jurisdiction, the former general must appear before the bench.
The court had adjourned the hearing till February 18, observing that the accused had already been directed to appear in court on the same date.
Musharraf’s legal team believes that charges will not be framed against their client if he appears today, as the three-judge bench headed by Justice Faisal Arab had assured them that the accused can seek adjournment until a decision on the court’s jurisdiction is made.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2014.
COMMENTS (24)
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Scenario has changed after the visit of Sultan... Rat roar like a loin again.....
Musharraf is the best leader Pakistan ever had. He cared for Pakistan and the people living in it. He proved to be much better than the looters. He never had apologistic attitude towards terrorists, who do not accept the constitution. The rulers seem so eager to talk and negotiate with the terrorists, while Musharraf set an example by eliminating the Lal masjid terrorists. Allah bless you my dear hero.
I have never seen such a coward Commando in my life who is hiding in the hospital due to fear of arrest.
@Hamid: with a tabla perhaps
A lot of political robbers were forgiven by Musharraf through NRO just for his personal political gains. He should be punished.
To all my friends (Yahya, Mirza and all) who are against Musharraf, I would like you all to have some study before posting such comments. Compare the period of Musharraf with the periods of Zardari and Sharif. Compare the law and order situation, economy, business activity, foreign exchange reserves, job situation, GDP, real estate etc. A common man used to have enough money in his/her pocket to spend for livelihoods in Musharraf era. I am of strong view that an illiterate country like Pakistan "does not" need such democracy. Democracy is needed in countries who have literate citizens, who know their rights and responsibilities and can choose their leaders and "can hold" leaders responsible for ill acts. Such developed and literate societies can bring change through their voice and vote. Unfortunately we are even behind Bangladesh in growth and literacy so PLEASE dont dance with democracy tunes. Also think WHY the periods of Ayub Khan and Musharraf were the BEST periods for Pakistan.
@ground reality: You seem far away from ground realities.
What if Gen. Raheel follows footsteps of Gen. yahya khan? Another 1971 saga? Another Gen. Rani
NO to dictatorship, WELCOME democratic transitions, democracy will get mature and cleaner down the road.
@ground reality: Jinnah was not a coward, he believed in supermacy of law, he was not corrupt, he did not enact NROs to protect the corrupt and corruption, he did not lose war to India, he did not let his chamchas and cronies mint billions in corruption
@Pakistani: it's not just about prices my friend, there were no Pakistani taliban, no suicide bombings, no greena nd red zones, no bridges that fall within a week of construction, no NRO to protect the corrupt and corruption, no huge foreign debt. Mr. Musharraf of "mein darta warta kisi se nahin" fame gave Pakistan the devastating war of Kargil that weakened Pakistan's case on Kashmir for ever, he followed duplicity in war against terrorism the fruits are which we are eating bitterly for years now
Musharaf will rock ..
Pakistani President Pervez Musharf the most respected pakistani in the world.
I salute President General (R) Pervez Musharraf, the greatest leader Pakistan has seen since Jinnah. Gave the concept of enlightened moderation, 8% GDP growth, massive infrastructure increment, freedom of media, etc.
He even carried respect from the international community and the then American president considered him his friend and even visited Pakistan...nowadays American president doesn't even meet the Pakistani leader and when they do end up meeting the latter gets handed a couple of chits to read from.
I miss the days when Pakistan actually had job opportunities for its youth in the IT and telecom sector under Musharraf, now all i see is unemployment everywhere. Musharraf also held the noose tightly on TTP but after his demise the menace spread rapidly. Most of our "far-sighted" political leaders laughed when one of them actually, truthfully, gave the indication of TTP presence in the business capital/revenue hub of Karachi 5 years ago!
If General Raheel Sharif has similar vision as General Musharraf in terms of development schemes, dealing with TTP on the front-foot, reviving the economy by giving people of Karachi & Lahore their own mayor that have policing & administration under them rather than the CM...then I believe this country is ready for another period of stability.
He can walk out free if he declare that he don't care about the constitution of Pakistan, just like Taliban!
@yousuf: Unlike some who had the audacity to attack the supreme court!!
Musharraf wil make speech in the court? Does the common citizen of Pakistan has this previlige?
@Kamran Khan: Well if you go back to 50s and 60s, prices were even less!! No wonder people celebrated when NS was kicked out. There was an opinion that NS may have learned from his mistakes but as soon as incompetent people like Mr. Ishaq Dar & others came back, it is the same story all together. NS and his clout do not have the capability or the capacity to run a country except when it comes down to their benefit.
Get well soon - this nation want you to lead them once again. PML N is sitting with criminals who do not accept Pakistan's constitution and believe Pakistani soldiers lost their lives for the motherland are not Shaheeds. The nation should now appreciate the way you treated the ones in mosque who were insulting the constitution and Islam.
@asim: yeah bad like 1999 when there were no suicide attacks, no Pakistan taliban, no NRO to protect the corrupt and corruption, flour was Rs. 12 per kg and Mutton Rs. 200 per kg. Dollar was under Rs. 30, so bad were conditions in 1999
Musharraf is the destroyer of Pakistan. He did nothing good for Pakistan. Bad law and order today is due to war initiated by Musharraf. Shame for him.
This coward general should be brought before court.
“Musharraf will address the court in a furious tone and will present the facts about the circumstances in which he decided to impose emergency" How could such a sick heart patient make a furious calculated and emotional speech? Most heart patients who are hospitalized can barely talk let alone making fiery speeches! One thing becomes clear with his appearance that his arrogance has taken a beating when faced against the law. He has lost all he had with his cowardly hide and seek games.
Musharraf will address the court in a furious tone
Its not good for your heart :P