Musharraf verdict: 'Barbaric and unconstitutional'

Twitterati slam excerpt of detailed high treason verdict calling for his corpse to be dragged to Islamabad's D-Chowk

The detailed judgement into the high treason case against former military ruler retired General Pervez Musharraf has drawn the ire of social media users with netizens slamming the special court's orders to drag the ex-army chief's corpse to  Islamabad's D-Chowk.

The special court formed to try Musharraf in the high treason case released the detailed judgement on Thursday as the former president was tried in absentia and sentenced to death.

One of the excerpts of the detailed verdict was almost unanimously condemned by social media users.

"We direct the Law Enforcement Agencies to strive their level best to apprehend the fugitive/convict to ensure that the punishment is inflicted as per law and if found dead, his corpse be dragged to the D-Chowk, Islamabad, Pakistan and be hanged for 03 days,” the verdict read.

Read: Detailed verdict issued in Musharraf treason case

Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari said the words used were "aghast" and a "violation of the constitution."

She questioned where the country was headed with such "violent mindsets"

Was not going to comment on the judgement - let the law take its course but this? Aghast. Is this the language of a senior judge? Even a layperson knows para 66 referring to dragging corpse etc is ultra vires the Constitution. Where are we headed with such violent mindsets? pic.twitter.com/HE87NJZqMa

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) December 19, 2019

Public policy expert and analyst Mosharraf Zaidi termed the certain excerpt of the verdict directing law enforcement agencies to hang Musharraf's corpse in Islamabad's D-Chowk for 3 days if he passes away as "Un-Islamic, barbaric, unconstitutional and completely unacceptable".

Disgusting.

It’s unIslamic, barbaric, unconstitutional and completely unacceptable.

ps Does anyone have the full PDF? To verify that this is indeed part of the judgement? pic.twitter.com/5RY4XotGkb

— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) December 19, 2019

While columnist Khurram Hussain seconded Zaidi's view and heavily criticised paragraph 66 of the verdict, saying:"This has severely dented the credibility of the judgement."

With Para 66, the credibility of the judgement is now severely dented. Baffling that it would be there knowing the environment in which the judgement is being released.

— Khurram Husain (@KhurramHusain) December 19, 2019

Nida Kirmani, rights activist, also weighed-in claiming the excerpt had successfully distracted the public from issue of the men in uniform's interference in politics.

Thank you Justice Seth for distracting us all from the main issue, which is the repeated interference of the army in the democratic process and the wrongs committed by Musharraf in particular, and forcing us to discuss your insane judgement. #MusharafVerdict

— Nida Kirmani (@NidaKirmani) December 19, 2019

Actor Hamza Ali Abbasi was more damning in his indictment of the verdict. He shared his bewilderment at the words, saying: "This is not rule of law... these words are absolutely illegal, immoral and clearly WRONG!"

#MusharafVerdict wait... WHAT?.... I take my words back abt not accusing judges of being anti Army or anti Pakistan.... I am shocked at these words in the verdict... This is not Rule of Law... these words in the verdict are absolutely illegal, immoral & clearly WRONG! pic.twitter.com/mXHKwZixOF

— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) December 19, 2019