Pakistan

Benazir Bhutto case: Musharraf should be declared absconder, says FIA

Letter by British government presented in court, Musharraf extradition denied on grounds of no formal...

Obaid Abbasi April 24, 2011

RAWALPINDI:

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has asked a Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) to declare former president Pervez Musharraf a proclaimed offender after the British government formally refused to extradite him to Pakistan.

The former president is accused of being negligent in providing security to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto shortly before she was assassinated on December 27, 2007. According to an FIA report, he did not take the requisite security measures to prevent her assassination, despite being aware of the imminent danger to her life.

During the course of hearing on Saturday, Public Prosecutor Chaudhry Azhar submitted to the court the British Home department’s letter in which they formally refused to hand over Musharraf to Pakistan, citing the lack of an extradition treaty between Britain and Pakistan.

Azhar requested the court to declare Musharraf a proclaimed offender and confiscate all his property in the country. The prosecution also submitted a copy of an interview Musharraf gave to a television channel last week.

Musharraf has been dividing his time between Dubai and London since leaving office in August 2008 and going into self-imposed exile, but he has property in Pakistan, including a large estate in the suburbs of Islamabad.

ATC Special Judge Rana Nasir Ahmed said that Musharraf would be declared proclaimed offender after the FIA submits the compliance report of his arrest warrants and adjourned the case till May 7.

Former city police officer (CPO) Saud Aziz and superintendent police Khurram Shahzad, two of the other accused in the case, were also present before the court. They were granted bail from the Lahore High Court in March.

Earlier on February 8 the court had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Musharraf for the first time to be served at his London address. Arrest warrants were reissued on February 18.

The judge had expressed his annoyance at the delay in arresting the former president and asked the FIA to produce him in court by April 23, but the FIA asked for more time to execute his arrest warrants.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (33)

Munir Saami | 13 years ago | Reply @Hedgefunder You have already repeated what I have been pleading. So it is my duty and yours to keep telling all that we need to be civilized and respect the bedrock that you have agreed is the constitution of Pakistan. Whoever has violated it should be brought to justice. You also asked, "Lastly tell me can the people of Pakistan face up to these challenges?". You say No, I say yes. You also answer your question, "Start educating the future generation and the present generation basic curriculum of excellance, rather than religion or politics!!!!" I agree with your answer. Let you and I and all who have even an iota of conscience, should continue to educate one person at a time. You take your friends and acquaintances, and I my own. If you would like to know how, this is how I try. Please visit the link and join it and propagate your valuable ideas. Cheers: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Writers_Forum/

Hedgefunder | 13 years ago | Reply @Munir Saami: The Constitution of the Nation is bedrock and holy grail of any society's foundation and maintain the well being of its citizens. This is not to be tempered with as and when the people in power choose to do so for self interests!! How many times has the Constitution of Pakistan been toyed with and amended by its people, since created by its founding fathers? Why did electorate allow that to happen in Pakistan? It is due to lack of respect for the Constitution, that Pakistan finds itself where it is today! No respect for Law and Order, Judiciary being politicised, Authority of elected members diluted to the extent, that its an embarrassment for the nation as to who are actual decision makers! The general welfare and basic services for the masses totally disregarded. The right to practice religious beliefs by all the people without hinderance, totally discarded. These are the symptoms of failed society and nation ! How does one treat this disease ! well for start they need to put the Clergy back in their place of business, which is Mosques and return Army back in the Barracks rather than making nation's policies ! Then the people of Pakistan need to elect Members with sincerity to act on their behalf, rather than for themselves to the Assembly and ensure the process is transparent too! Start educating the future generation and the present generation basic curriculum of excellance, rather than religion or politics!!!! Then perhaps the future of the nation may stand a chance of surviving and developing in society which can stand up and be counted. The cauldron of hate and misinformation that have been served to the masses for past few decades will take time to solve, but at least it will be in right direction for change. Lastly tell me can the people of Pakistan face up to these challenges? Or will those elites and in power ever allow this social revolution to take place?? I am afraid the answer will be NO ! So if the Natiion did not change and amend the constitution and respected it in first place than perhaps one would not have these sort of complications to resolve.

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Munir Saami | 13 years ago | Reply @Hedgefunder You suggest that the constitution "was used as a paper" by many. But it is yours, mine, and every Pakistani's constitution. To suggest that we respect article 6 or any other article is not patronizing but assuring that you, I, and all Pakistanis are civilized people. And if were kept ignorant or treated like uncivilized serfs, then it is our fault,and I would expect that decent and I assume educated people like you should be leading the cause. On the road to accepting the supremacy of constitution I will be following you if you chose to lead.

Amer | 13 years ago | Reply @aman: Are you saying that Dehli become a Pakistani Politician dust bin, just like London and Dubai are? You guys seem to remmember Kargil so well don't you!!

Hedgefunder | 13 years ago | Reply @aman: LOL!!!!!!!! Yes, as India does not have extradition treaty with Pakistan !! Plus he will feel at home in Old Delhi!!!!!!! The question is do Indian Govt really want him, after his little adventures in Kargil??? Better he remain in UK, at least he is not dependant on the state to provide for him!!!!

aman | 13 years ago | Reply Lets give him asylum in india.He is a mohajir of indian origin and he has all rights to come and settle down in india!! India,pakistan has no extradition treaty !!

Amer | 13 years ago | Reply Mushy the runaway comando! He is nothing more then a criminal on the run now! What a shameful existance!

Yousaf | 13 years ago | Reply And these words by @MushyBushy made my day!! "Why is it that we are so willing to exile and hang dictators but we continue to elect chors and dakoos to our so called democratic govts? A nation that has made Zardari it’s president does not have any right to criticize any past ruler!!!!"

Yousaf | 13 years ago | Reply @Munir Saami you are absolutely right.... but Musharraf's action was validated by Honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan under special conditions when the Civil Government put Pakistan's one of the biggest institution Army, under threat. I always ask, why people demand prosecution of General Musharraf for his action, and why they forget Nawaz Sharief and company for their actions, the main characters of the movie? I mean, I trust and prefer a general's patriotism for Pakistan then that of Industrialist's...Tax Chors!!. At least a General will die in Line of Duty instead of fleeing from the country.

Yousaf | 13 years ago | Reply @Mirza what Music you are talking about my dear? Musharraf has been facing many Musicians in his whole carrier in Army...and then many years while in the office as a President... he was able to face the world's best musicians as well as their finest tunes. He is such a man who was able to call Musicians like Hu Jintao or Jacque Chirac during the mid of the night to ask for help or discuss the problems, he was able to face music of hundreds of Indians during India Today Conclave in India. I agree some of your points, that Military Men should be more responsible, in spending hard earned money of People of Pakistan...that money must be paid to the people in shape of welfare and well being, world class healthcare facilities as well infrastructure but I don't agree that a man who has served Pakistan for more than 42 years should be dragged in courts for nothing.

Yousaf | 13 years ago | Reply @Maria There are more plenty of people even before Musharraf who deserves to be caught and hanged or prosecuted... specially politicians. If Musharraf had ever broke the law, he must be prosecuted, I agree. But don't forget that our politicians or Law Makers in fact, breaking the law every day, in fact they are in process of continuous violation of law. Please name me the some sort of best things you got from Politicians? I will name you 100s of BEST things we got from Dictatorship. It is universal truth that Democracy is the best way of Government, Nation is the sole authority to choose, elect, question.....but it is not possible in Pakistan.

Hedgefunder | 13 years ago | Reply @salim: Well his lecture tours are not that brilliant, i have attended one of them. He is a better ghazal singer. He is also very good at avoiding direct questions when it suits him ! The main reason people actually attend them is to figure out how the pakistani brain works!!! Imagine Zardari on lecture tour, now that will be something!! Imagine Gillani on lecture tour, Yes we have set up so & so commitee to eradicate the problems and the country has never had it so good !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our democratic or rather demonic govt works for the people and to serve the people.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hedgefunder | 13 years ago | Reply @Munir Saami: Your constitution has always been treated as a piece of paper, which has been amended so often by so many leaders, during its history that its really not of much relevance to any pakistani Govt!! So stop patronising, and discussing Article 6, as there are too many Articles in the constitution, which have been abused to greater effects.

salim | 13 years ago | Reply Nothing but victimisation. General Musharraf is still most respected in higher circles in many countries. He's in the elite group of highest paid speakers in the world. So the capabilities are definitely there! Can any of our politicians claim such recoginition?

Mirza | 13 years ago | Reply Once he was a General now a fugitive. If he has nothing to hide why would he not come and face the music? If he has the following that he claims then he can easily win the next elections. However, he cannot do that via remote control. No general after he was shown the door has come back to power. Let the courts do their job and the law of the land take its course. As far as the excuses of spending time and money on these cases, there are no additional judges appointed. The current judiciary is not working to end the poverty and corruption anyway. They are drawing big salaries and let us keep them busy for a change. As far as Mush being a salaried person all his life, so were Gen Ayub and Zia. However, both of those dictator's families are filthy rich. Why would people not demand the declaration of all assets by the military officials? Why only bloody civilians are required to do that? Mirza, USA

shah sufi | 13 years ago | Reply @D. Asghar: It is very sad situation of the media. That comments of such caliber are published. But real criticism of the Government is censored, for fear of reprisal by the rulers goons.

Munir Saami | 13 years ago | Reply Any traitor who has violated article 6 of Pakistan needs to be brought to justice. Be it Musharraf or any one else. This is how the article 6 reads: "High treason. [4A][(1) Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance, the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.] (2) Any person aiding or abetting [4B][or collaborating] the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason. [4C][(2A) An act of high treason mentioned in clause (1) or clause (2) shall not be validated by any court including the Supreme Court and a High Court.] (3) [5] [Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)] shall by law provide for the punishment of persons found guilty of high treason. " Why should the request for a trial under this article or pursuing a person who violated the above article, be considered as witch hunt. It just beats the logic. Musharraf should be pursued under this article as well as for Benazir's murder inquiry. If he is innocent, then he should surrender to the court and submit his defense.

Mastishhk | 13 years ago | Reply If Mukhtaran Mai's Rapists can get acquited, why not Musharraf..Anything is possible in Pakistan.....!!!!

MushyBushy | 13 years ago | Reply Why is it that we are so willing to exile and hang dictators but we continue to elect chors and dakoos to our so called democratic govts? A nation that has made Zardari it's president does not have any right to criticize any past ruler!!!!

Asif Amin | 13 years ago | Reply Time Wasting issue. Do best for common. Government raise this issue in order to hide big corruption issues.

D. Asghar | 13 years ago | Reply If one is totally "innocent", then one would not be dodging the law. He has to make that decision now, Is it Pakistan first or Inglistan first? I think Inglistan will be his preference.

hamza | 13 years ago | Reply @Pro Pakistan: president musharraf did what he needed to do. lal masjid was a state action against terrorists who had weapons inside a mosque. would you have allowed that as a leader of a nation? if so, you're a damn fool. as for the NRO, he has admitted in hindsight it was a mistake. everything else he did was for a good reason.

hamza | 13 years ago | Reply @A.ghaffar dawood: perhaps the most sensible thing i've read on this sight in months.

Wasil Arain | 13 years ago | Reply If he could be brought to book the future uf de3mocracy will be assured and unfortunaqte military adventuresm will be dettered. However this has a very slim chance as so little good happens here.

yousafhyat | 13 years ago | Reply The next General will hang them all...and I hope he does ...This is what you get for being kind to politicians ...General Pervaiz Musharraf Zindabad ,Pakistan Paindabad ...

Pro Pakistan | 13 years ago | Reply @A.ghaffar dawood: Thank you, at least you accepted he made mistakes when in power :). Now pray that Allah give him encourage so he will accept what blunders he made against country sovereignty i.e. drone strikes, NRO, Lal masjid and more.

Hedgefunder | 13 years ago | Reply @John: What Assets?? How much does Amry general make in a year? multiply that by the years of service without any allowances for living expanses and other costs, as these members of fraternity live for free regarding anything they require and lets see how much savings can one accumulate, then assess the actual wealth and hey presto we derive at an figure known as Assets Beyond His Means!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is no way that these idiots making mockery of the system can actually afford to bring this guy back as he already knows of too many skeletons in all their respective wardrobes!!!!! Additionally Army will simply not standby and allow one of their Brethren to be treated in this sort of fashion, but they know these are empty threats so they will tolerate the barking dogs for time being!!!!!

Maria | 13 years ago | Reply @A.ghaffar dawood: How you can you respect a dictator who does not respect the constitution and rules illegaly? Should Tunisia respect the dictator Ben Ali? Should Egypt respect Mubarak? When do you start to hold people accountable for their actions? There has to be a message that if you break the laws of the land and take over in a military coup in defiance of the constitution, there is a penalty.

Aftab Khan | 13 years ago | Reply I fully agree this is just a witch hunting . Both the GOVT. and the Judiciary are the headache for the nation . Every other day a Judgment come saying the terrorist and the DAKOOS And the Rape Offender is relived from the Jail. What more u expect from Pakistan . MR. Mushrraf has done the best he can . No power shortages , no food shortages , $ was between RS 58/ to Rs 60/. What more u want from .

John | 13 years ago | Reply Last time when efforts were made to side step him when he was flying from Sr Lanka, his friends, who are now in power, threw the elected gov out. This time, though he is not in power, his friends are still there. Interesting twist- confiscate his assets- domestic or foreign?

Hedgefunder | 13 years ago | Reply LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can call him what you like , !!!!! Does it make any difference at all??? No wonder this country is in a mess!!!! Too busy settling old scores, to see that there are lot more urgent issues to be dealt with within next 3 months in order for this country to survive economically !!!!!!

Yousaf | 13 years ago | Reply Don - The chase begins!! hehehehe.... Catch me if you can..., Everybody knows that Musharraf has nothing to do with Benazir Bhutto's case, in fact it was in the best interest of Musharraf if she were lived. The courts do not have any thing else to do for the relief of common man... other then wasting the money of tax payers.

A.ghaffar dawood | 13 years ago | Reply This witch hunting must stop.we should learn to respect our leaders and do not make mockery of ourselves.All the leaders make mistakes when they are in power.That does not mean we should witch hunt them.We are making fool of ourselves in the committee of nations.Mr.Parvez mushrraf has done lot of good for the country aS well.So Hats off to mushrraf.

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