In 2011, during a trial of the Benazir murder case, a Rawalpindi Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) declared Musharraf a proclaimed offender. AFP/FILE
As Pervez Musharraf prepares to come good on his pledge to return to Pakistan ahead of parliamentary elections, a string of cases await the ex-military ruler.
Besides the security issue relating to his unconditional alliance with the United States in the war against terror and pending court cases in connection with the Lal Masjid operation, the former president can be arrested for the murder of two political heavyweights: former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and Baloch tribal chieftain Akbar Bugti.
Already arrest warrants have been issued in Musharraf’s name in connection with the two murder cases.
Musharraf was at the helm of affairs when Bugti was slain during a military operation in 2006. Since then, peace has not returned to the restive province. A court in Balochistan issued arrest warrants for the military ruler in the Bugti murder case.
Barely a year after Bugti’s death, the twice elected prime minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.
In 2011, during a trial of the Benazir murder case, a Rawalpindi Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) declared Musharraf a proclaimed offender.
Musharraf’s bank accounts were frozen and his property was attached on the court’s orders. His spouse, Begum Sehba Musharraf’s application against the court’s order is yet to be entertained.
Sehba said since her husband gifted their farm house in Islamabad to her, the court illegally ordered its confiscation. She also mentioned in her application, that the money in their bank accounts were reserved for the welfare of the general population, hence they cannot be frozen.
After toppling the Nawaz Sharif-led government in 1999, Musharraf got himself elected as the President of Pakistan in an army uniform and stepped down from office in 2008. Since then, Musharraf has been in a self-imposed exile and the trial of cases in which he stands accused are conducted in several courts of the country. Musharraf is now chairman of his own political party All Pakistan Muslim League (APML). In the past, he has said that he would contest elections from Chitral.
Though Musharraf has pledged to return to Pakistan a week after the interim government is installed, he will have to face the independent judiciary for legal course. He deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry twice, who in turn was reinstated as result of a mass lawyer’s movement.
Article 6 can be initiated against Musharraf for unconstitutionally imposing martial law – despite the apex court’s restraining order – and sacking judges of the Supreme Court including the chief justice. Musharraf’s unconstitutional move was thereby termed ‘Emergency Plus’.
Recently, a commission investigating the Lal Masjid incident issued a notice to Musharraf asking him to appear before it. However, he refused to abide by the notice.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2013.
COMMENTS (20)
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Afterall, the only way Pakistan has to pave on is rule of Justice and law. That`s suppose to be only law left on the mass-grave of whole constitution made slaughtered by Mr. Musharraf; and fortunately need of justice relys under the arrest and proceqution of Mr. Mushrraf... Let the criminal come and authorities should give him a warm welcome to the courts...
Well if Mr Musharaf and other parties like PTI and Qadri join in to make new party it would be intresting as we have been ruled by Two powerful parties since long time and its high time we as people of Pkaistan give chance to other people as well. In Pakistan's history who doesnt loot the Pakistan and its very clear and visble to all how the looting is going on still . At the end of day a common man is at loss all rich bearucats have become richer be it PML N or PPPP . So lets give this three new parties a chance and hopefully they will get Pakistan out of the misery it is in . Before we start blame game again that what who did just look into urself as well ke what we have done for Pakistan being an indvidual are we supporting the wrong people coz of many innocent people have been killed so far and God know's how many more would be killed .
Well said Tak, you are absolutely right. His return has been guaranteed either by the external forces or internal forces. Or may be by by both!
As imran khan and qadri sahab failed to pose any serious challenge to PPP the establishmen now sends Mishqraf This is all part of consipracy to stop democratic process and belittle people of pakistan
@Sajida:
He is not even convicted and you are ready to give him punishment. First give punishment to the ppl who looted the country.
It is true that former President Gen(R)Musharraf came through a military coup,but this is also a fact that politicians propped up by the military regimes such as ZA Bhutto,Nawaz Sharif and Shujat Hussain all enjoyed apart of their own, a considerable vote bank of those who supported military rule and still support it as per various surveys both local and foreign.In the last general elections PML(Q) party supported by Musharraf got the second highest total votes polled after PPP. It means that there does exist a large pro Musharraf vote which if reactivated could produce a significant impact.As regards the court cases,presently,all seems to be in bailable stage.His arrest on arrival would amount to Pre- Poll rigging and efforts to block him to participate in elections.Beside,an unwarranted arrest is likely to make him a popular political leader.All this is most likely to give a real boost to APML/ Musharraf with positive reults in elections.
Being a criminal he must be punished.
It is a wishful thinking of General (R) Pervez Musharraf to come back Pakistan and activate his political party and contest elections by awarding party tickets from all over the country.
I have serious reservations and doubts about it as he will be able to fulfill his ambitions based on the following points:
Last time General Musharraf came into power from the back door through a military coup. In the history of Pakistan, I have never seen any political leader or military dictator coming back into power in such a short span of time I.e. 5 years. There are number of pending cases against him in various courts of law which cannot provide adequate time to him to go to the masses for interaction. Though there are some people who want to see him back in the power but there are many political parties who will be fielding their own candidates to contest in the elections. General Pervez Musharraf's political party is not as know as few other political parties.In the light of above, I think that General Musharraf will not be able win the elections in sweeping majority and can form his own government.
How can courts order to arrest the army cheIf when bugti and the terrorist of lal masjid attacked army. Wake up ppl of pakistan. These terrorist have ruined our beautiful country. Do you want pakistan to prosper or get worst. If you want it to get worst then yiu can vote current political parties and get terrorist in. Choice is yours. I dont think one should be stupid enough to realize that Pakistan was flourishing in his and shaukat aziz time. They both knew what they were doing unlike the current political parties. Either in govt or in opposition.
At least the economy was flourishing during his tenure. If he can improve country's economic condition after coming back, then I am willing to support him.
he should be brought to the hook of the bad good book.
Musharraf should definitely return to Pakistan and face the music. Not only is he guilty of high treason for his coup d' état of 12 October 1999 under Article 6 of the supreme law of the land, the Constitution, but no less than two courts have also declared him a Proclaimed Offender. He will get no relief from the apex court: he twice illegally dismissed the Chief Justice of that august institution and confined him and his family to house arrest against all norms of civilised behaviour. Let Musharraf return; the courts and the populace eagerly await to put him behind the bars where he belongs!
@Hopeful: You and all the remaining 100 voters who are keenly waiting for his return
Musharraf is the best leader Pakistan ever had. He pulled out the failing country from crisis in 1999 and he has the ability to do now.
Musharraf’s bank accounts were frozen and his property was attached on the court’s orders.
Who is paying for his expenses in UK?
Sir come again. Make Pakistan flourishing again. We are in great loss after you left.
when people are jobless he wants to serve again
Welcome back, your voters await you.
Here comes the media, hype and the lust for ratings! Good going tribune, never disappoint us!