Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
ISLAMABAD: Former president Pervez Musharraf was indicted by the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in the judges detention case on Saturday.
On Saturday morning when ATC Judge Syed Kausar Abbas Zaidi resumed hearing of the case in sub-jail Chak Shahzad, the prosecutor read the charge sheet against the accused, who denied the allegations.
Subsequently the court adjourned the matter till June 21.
The case is based on a First Information Report (FIR) registered against Musharraf on August 11, 2009 by the Secretariat police for detaining over 60 judges including Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
On June 11, the Islamabad High Court granted him bail against surety bonds worth Rs 500,000.
Musharraf, who returned from four years of self-imposed exile in March, has been under house arrest at his villa on the edge of Islamabad since April 19. He is barred from leaving the country.
He was earlier formally arrested on suspicion of Akbar Bugti’s murder.
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@Karachi: I replied to you. ET has not yet published.
@Karachi: None of the wars Pakistan started with India had lasted for more than few days. Pakistan had always rushed to UN in about six days for a ceasefire in every war. You have to read not just one link or one just one newspaper. I do not keep links on my desktop. Just try to find out why no commission has ever come out with any report.
Let me add one more thing. Bhutto motivated Pakistan to eat grass. Musharraf actually made his army eat grass. Autopsy reports discovered grass in the stomachs of Pakistani soldiers who died in the Kargil war. India had cut off the supply lines and many soldiers starved to death. Some tried to survive by eating grass. Hamid Mir has mentioned this in few of his "Capital Talk" program. Just Google and you will find everything. Musharraf was not as brave as some say. In a way he is the most coward as he ditched his own soldiers. How many of its soldiers who sacrificed their lives has Pakistan recognized or honored? Many did not even find a grave in Pakistan.
All said, as I have said before, Musharraf believes that he is the most patriotic and to some extent he is. I have said that he was somewhat patriotic and more patriotic than many other generals or politicians. In Agra, Musharraf was coming out in new dress several times a day as if he was in a fashion show and giving out cocky statements to Indian media when he went there to get a diplomatic deal. In the end when Vajpayee refused to sign any agreement, Musharraf was begging Vajpayee to give him a face saving deal.
Who do you think proliferated Pakistan's nuclear technology. Was it Dr. Khan or the several generals who made money and made Pakistan a pariah country. Ask Dr. Khan.
@Insaan: I don't really know what sources from what you got this info, but it was Govt who was saying that they didn't know about Kargil not the General. I recommend you to read 'in the line of fire' to get some facts. And Army really overthrew them from power just after 2 months who then made Army to release that area.
@Waseem: Do you mean Zinda Musharraf is bad (i.e. not good)?
Many comments here on Kargil. Most people will agree that ISI is one of the best intelligence agencies in the world so it cannot be denied that ISI did not know of troop movements, transportation of weapons, artillery, large quantities of fuel etc. Who was heading ISI at that time? If you know the answer then surely you can figure out who knew or did not know about this operation.
As a nation we are quick to apportion blame without any basis just to satisfy our egos.
To the 'holier than thou' Indians here -- remember your aggression in Siachen?
@Insaan: Why do you say that? Just the way Musharraf 'dared' and lost, Ayub also dared India in 1965 and lost! Poor Yahya lost without daring!)
@Raj - USA: Could you please mention sources of all yours comments.
Musharaf Zinda Bad !
@Raj - USA: Can you please back your comments with some references so that readers could know from where you got this information?
@Zaka:
exactly! this is the same defense musharrafs lawyers have been making. apart from that, there is not a single document provided by the prosecution to show an order by musharraf to detain judges. complete hogwash this!
@Karachi: "He should be awarded Medal for Kargil, the Only General so far who DARE to challenge India."
Musharraf started Kargil calculating that Pakistan shall hold on to the Peaks for six days and in the meantime shall go to UN to declare a ceasefire. Pakistan's generals started all wars and every time they planned to hold on for up to six days thinking that China, USA & UN will intervene and impose a ceasefire that would allow Pakistan to hold on to the captured territory permanently. All generals of Pakistan had foolish strategies. The strength of a country and its army does not lie in starting a war. Anyone can do it. The strength of the country and its army and also the bravery and courage of its army lies in its ability and capability to face the retaliatory action from the enemy. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Nawaz Sharif saved not only his skin and the route of Pakistan army, he also saved Pakistan. Remember, at that time Pakistan did not have any delivery system to deliver its nuclear missiles. It did not have any nuclear missiles even and only few nuclear devises were exploded. Nawaz sharif used all his diplomatic skill and saved Pakistan. Musharraf was also the one who scuttled the Agra talks with India. He got another chance after 9/11. US had wiped out Al Quaida and Talibans from Afghanistan. Musharraf pretended to side with US but gave sanctuary and protection to talibans and Al Quaida in Pakistan. Had he been truthful USA would have showered Pakistan with all technology, including nuclear and both Pakistan and Afghanistan would have been very peaceful. Musharraf facilitated Osama to move to Pakistan and was circulating stories of Osama's kidney failure. Khalid Sheikh was moved to Karachi. Hamid Gul who is so much against Musharraf today was full of praises for Musharraf then. Musharraf is patriotic to some extent but he cares more for himself than Pakistan. He should not have returned to Pakistan.
@K B Kale: Certainly, both Pakistani and Indian lives wasted for a no win situation. Very callous, plus it put on a back burner the then commendable efforts of PM NS's to bring India and Pakistan commerce on a road map. Hope this time around the powers that be will stay out of politics, and allow parliament and politicians to take decisions as voted by the people of Pakistan.
@salim: This is what Musharraf claims. For one, as the maximum authority who did not have to answer to parliament, he is responsible for his government's decisions no matter that he tries pulling in others as responsible. Dictatorships tend to misbehave precisely because of power in the hands of the One and his kitchen cabinet as such... We will soon find out if the Justices have solid proof of the wrong doings with the ensuing disastrous results for Pakistan during his reign.
He should be awarded Medal for Kargil, the Only General so far who DARE to challenge India.
Was it not the same time when the CJ was leading and addressing the political gatherings and Jalooses everywhere?
He is being victimized only because he is a Karachi wala! Based on facts he did a lot for this country then this so called democracy. Im sad in saying this action like this plus KESC issue where 650 MW is being unjustly cut and the Punjabioistic attitude by Federal Govt is certainly ruining the federation of this country! Army you keep on sleeping see what happened to Ziarat Residency, my head lies in shame! This democracy has made these fascists into a deadly monster.
No judge has come forward so far to substantiate these charges. There is no proof or documentation available as evidence. So even if there is truth in this the courts can't succeed in a conviction.
Musharraf's all policies were cashed by INDIA, USA, ISAF.....so deeds looked like an anti-Pakistan guy.............
Let him present his case in the open court and let the facts come out. It is imp for the future of the country. Everything should not be ignored like the past against the generals.
@Shahbuddin: And this number doesn't include the lives of Indian soldiers who died bcz of the silly, irresponsible misadventure by Mush!
Indeed, it is shame when such facts are brought against a leader but now the question is how should we treat such corrupt and self-centered leaders, while maintaining our national integrity and interests. Moreover, Musharraf is one example; are we hunting others as well? Certainly, by law, al should be brought to court but if they are not then why Mr Musharraf ? The option i see, is to confiscate all his property including that in Pakistan and abroad and hand it over to Govt of Pakistan, while making him leave this country and ban him and his family for the rest of their life to enter Pakistan premises. Otherwise, if he is hanged, then history is certainly going to make him a hero and one day his son would be a Prime minster.
Musharraf - the omnipotent dictator - claiming that he was an innocent bystander while the judges were under house arrest is like Bush denying that he was responsible for starting the Iraq War. Or like Assad claiming that Syria is as peaceful as a children's park. It would be more credible if he hides behind the 'temporary insanity' alibi, than to just say he had nothing to do with it.
judiciary is biased and is party in the case. How they can do justice?
He should be tried for his Kargil misadventure where 2000 soldiers lost their lives unnecessarily.
maybe his speech explaining this action was also 'edited' ala aamir liaquat and mubashir luqman.
Such terrible abuse of power. Musharraf should face the consequences of his wrongs to form a precedent in Pakistan's justice system. It would ensure future politicians/armed forces in power would think twice before taking such decisions. Human life and good governance should be given proper value in Pakistan. The Supreme court in these cases I hope will make history.