Screenshot showing PM Nawaz speaking during the National Assembly session.
In Pakistan, the maximum penalty for treason is death.
The government "firmly subscribes to the view that the holding in abeyance of the constitution on 3rd November 2007, constituted an act of high treason," Sharif said in parliament, reading from a statement simultaneously presented to the Supreme Court.
"Musharraf will have to answer for his guilt before the court," he said.
"Notwithstanding the fact that the Prime Minister has borne the brunt of Musharraf's brazen coup, he wishes to assure both this august court and the people of Pakistan that he will act according to the highest standards of justice and follow the due process of law," Sharif said.
Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid later said that the decision to pursue high treason case against Musharraf is aimed at establishing rule of law.
Opposition leaders from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) extended their support to the prime minister.
On June 6, Musharraf’s lawyer had requested the Supreme Court to find out what the newly-elected federal government’s views are on treason proceedings against his client.
“I would urge the court to ask the attorney general of Pakistan to get fresh instructions from the new government [in this regard] as the interim government had earlier declared that initiating the treason trial against Musharraf was beyond its mandate,” advocate Ahmed Raza Kasuri had requested the three-judge bench.
PTI backs Nawaz
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday backed Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif's announcement to start legal proceedings against former dictator Pervez Musharraf on charges of high treason.
"It is the prerogative of the federal government to take action against the dictator (General Musharraf). The PTI will fully support all steps taken by the government in this regard in line with the Constitution," said a statement issued here by PTI Media Cell.
The PTI statement said that Constitution was a sacred document and no individual or institution could be allowed to abrogate it.
"Whether it is Pervez Musharraf or a normal Pakistani citizen, any action must be taken under the law."
The PTI also sought against all abettors and facilitators of General Musharraf, adding that a long-term strategy should be evolved to avoid any future adventurism.
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COMMENTS (113)
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Today 5th July anniversary of Zia ul Haq's Coup. Three newspapers are totally silent on the subject. One paper actually singing praises of him! Some channels this evening will probably ignore. Comments and conclusions?
Why did Musharaf come to Pakistan?
@Ahmed Ali Khan: Musharraf passed NRO to save his own skin when he was running out of options. That gave us disastrous PPP government for next 5 years. The results are there for everyone one to see. If you can read this email that is, what with load shedding and all...
Taxpayers money will spend on this case!!!Alas
@arif jamal: You are so right The country has been governed by the province with the largest population, so the way Pakistan is today, is a credit or discredit to the people of this province
This shows the seriousness of the present regime in tackling the multitude of crisis we are facing - these are diversionary tactics and nothing else. Let's settle personal scores Mr. Prime Minister while the IMF knocks on our door demanding their money back, the rupee weakening, oil prices moving higher, new taxes reducing purchasing power -- all leading to hyper inflation. Wait and watch boys and girls, our lives will become more miserable by end of this year while the corrupt to the core government hangs the general.
What Musharraf need isa lawyer of international fame and close watch of the whole process,otherwise he`ll be hanged by the Azad Adlia.
Really unfortunate ,what will be achieved by this cycle of revenge.One should be more graceful in victory or else the army will feel humiliated and wait for opportunity to hit back.
@Thor: had it been a revenge speech, they would have stressed on 1999 coup... yes they mentioned it but its a fact... n this govt was not to initiate the case, it was on supreme courts order. that is being careful and mature...
@Guest: i wish that we the civilians get matured enough nd loyal enough with our country to take every decision ourselves,without the help of Armed forces,,,but i guess long way to b so,,,, if the Army too step back from policy making,,,thn m afraid.... Long live our armed forces(the custodians of the country)
@Usman Aftab: I feel for Musharraf. Can never forget the way he revives and stabilised the economy. Truly feel bad for him. He was the man with a vision. That is only a perception. What actually happened was that the US war on Afghanistan caused a lot of money to flow into Pakistan and created a false sense of achievement which was exploited by Musharraf's propaganda machine.
@1947:
Could you enlighten how on earth Musharraf has damaged Pakistan and Pakistan army's image in the world. What I see he always defended Pakistan and Pakistan cause.
@Salman:
In 2014 there will be new election and Imran Khan will be the prime minister. This was predicted by someone in I think in Dec, 2012 Lets see what happens.
Inshallah Musharraf will not run away like Nawaz Sharif did.
Your days are numbered Musharraf! Pakistanis must learn from the examples of countries like Turkey (General Ilker Basburg sent to jail), Sri Lanka (General Sarath Fonseka thrown to gallows) and Bangladesh (General Hussain Irshad). Conclusion: Pakistan is no more a banana republic.
Musharraf by himself could not have done anything, but NS and the biased courts will try to get him alone because if they follow the law then the aiders and abettors should also be tried, and that includes judges, civil servants, politicians and half of PMLN. It is foolish of all those who want Musharraf tried, as if the country needs more reasons of unrest and instability. As for the so-called pro-democracy commentors here, if the democratic politicians did half as much as Musharraf did for the country we would not have military interventions to begin with. Better clean up own house before going after the one who actually did something good for the country.
@Syed: Agreed, everyone, politicians or Army, anyone who has done harm to Pakistan should be prosecuted. Lets have Ashgar Khan case, Attack on Supreme court case, Karz utaro mulk savaro money scandal and Mr Zardari's 60 million dollar Swiss case and Arsalan Iftikhar case and Memo gate case too, Our country needs law and order under control and economic revival, that should be our priorities. Lets not divert the attention of people from real issues that concerns people of this country.
What about treason case for Taliban, LeT and other extremist. The extremist are trying to destroy Pakistan. Former President did not destroy Pakistan but saved it. The government should focus on eliminating Taliban terrorist who are killing Pakistanis by the day.
Another useless exercise that will start with a big tamasha and then fizzle out into nothing!
Musharraf has quite a few spades in his deck. The saying "Iss hamaam may, sub hi nangay" comes to mind given the hypocrisy of the situation. We have a sitting PM who wants to initiate charges against a former general for taking over the Country, yet the very same PM has no qualms over supporting Zia and his dictatorship by politicking back then.
I do not support any political party. Country is heading from bad to no point of return. Law and order is in bad shape. corruption is increased. our leaders are looking for revenge.If this is not revenge than try Ayuab Khan and Zia. Also include all the judges who made this legal.
This news item is not complete. You have to read it with another column in ET and take this decision by the government as an additional way to what has been said there. Here is the link : http://tribune.com.pk/story/567592/quirky-dumb-ways-to-die-campaign-sweeps-advertising-awards/
@alikulikhan.. He is not going to be trialed for 1999 coup. Relax :)
The budget failed…… This trial will provide great distraction from the real issues that Nawaz promised during elections. All news channel anchor will be reporting on the trial and leave the two brothers to run amock.
It's time for Pakistan now to move on in solving the immediate problem of the country. instead of wasting time on Musharraf . Whatever he did in the past, whether good or bad, Sharif would have done the same the same thing. It is true Sharif is after revenge. Sending Musharraf to gallows would be very bad for the image of Pakistan instead I would suggest to send him back wherever he wants to go Saudi Arabia, England or let him stay in Pakistan with the condition that he keep his mouth shut. If Pakistan and its people give amnesty to Musharraf , it will really uplift the image of the country in the whole world, keeping in mind when all we hear what is going in the country. Mr. Sharif people need Roti, Kappra, and makaan. Please they need electricity, jobs, safety, and their daily needs being taking care off. Forget Musharraf and do your duty as Prime minster. Its time for you fulfill your mandate.
Excellent decision.The whole nation is with you on this decision Mr PM
@muhammad farooq:
power hungry? are you saying that out of ignorance of are you just biased? the man came into power on the basis of his plane being diverted to india. a COAS in any country would have reacted very similarly. plus, all action was done on the ground by his army generals, not by him. when he took over he was wearing atleast 4 different hats. slowly, he took these off one by one, ultimately becoming just president before he resigned. what power hungry person gives up his titles? maybe you should look at syria and see what power hungry means.
So wait, shouldn't Nawaz Sharif be then held accountable for past like his cases of embezzlement and high treason when he was in power???
Oh right, Musharraf gave him a full pardon for his crimes against humanity hence why he was allowed back in the country.
The irony is wasted on the people of Pakistan.
Heavy mandate soon going to be crushed under "Heavy Boots" agian
Pakistan had a better image under Gen. Musharaff's rule than the other ruling governments. Under current leadership, the image of Pakistan went down and has stayed down.
Democracy cannot work in a country full of illiterates. Uneducated, biased people cannot and should not be trusted with making decisions about the future.
What a shame..Mr Sharif, release Musharraf ASAP.
Don't repeat mistakes you did in the past...or you will be out of the game again. Guaranteed!
It is a good decision and let the highest court of the country decide about Musharraf's fate, it was Chief Justice Muneer who paved the road to dictatorship. It seems NS has the guts to do what is right for the country in regard to Army taking over time after time.Perhaps we will see different Pakistan in the 21st century.
Typical Pakistani politics. Distracting the masses from their right, making people dance on drums which no more exist.
This case will only harm the country and democracy will be furthered weakend by settling personal grudges rather then solving the problems of the country.
Musharraf will get away easily becuase he delivered something during this time, but i give our new PM 2 years max, if he doesnt deliver anything the people of Pakistan will somehow manage to throw him out again.
Ns please stop showing a lack of maturity. Mush did what was in the best interest of Pakistan. He is a true patriot. You are a wealthy politician with skeletons in your own closet. Please do not destabilize this country by taking on a collision course with the Pak Army. Mush was not alone, nor was he the first one to break the constitution. If it were not for Mush, you'd be at peace with your God- sentenced to death for forcefully hijacking plane of Pay Army with Coas. It just proves that Mush was never a dictator-he was too nice to be a dictator. Now please go back to running the country and.solving our problems of electricity and terrorism. Hope you and your cronies get sense.
Let see any punjabi will be tried under the article-6 who assisted and abetted so-called dictator
Its not justice, Its a clear mind set. If the same has been done by a Punjabi the court will excuse him for any reason. How about trying General Kiani for allowing americans on a joy a trip Abbotabad.
God Bless you Mian sahab.. we can bear electricity outages keeping in mind that the culprits behind it have to asnwer before the court of justice.
Time for COAS Kyani saab to step inn !
The 1973 constitution was all illegal, framed by an assembly whose majority took part in the conspiracy for the division of 1947 Pakistan created by the sacrifies of millions of men, women and childrens. Bhutto was not a legitimate majority elected Prime Minister nor the assembly had the mandate to draft, approve and implement a constitution as they assumed power after carefully bifurcating our country. But Alas! we now weep and cry for the sanctity of the 1973 Constitution, Legalising an illegal birth.
The Musharraf is not an ordinary person bt Army Chief. And if they need a trial then it should b from the beginning. Further U ppl will see that this PML N Govt will give a safe way out to musharraf. This speech and all is nothing bt a political stunt. PM nawaz is not in the position to tackle Pakistan Army.
If a Muhajir Army chief is to be hanged don't spare the Punjabi perpetrators the Chudhry in (October 1999) and Keyani in (2007) are the key beneficiaries after Musharaf.
Please include Zia-ul-Haq and his aiders and abetors (Living or dead) in this case as well.
When something happens to PPP, they play the Sindh card. When something happens to MQM, they play the Muhajir card. The fact is that Musharraf was a military dictator, who for whatever good or bad reasons, usurped power from a democratically elected government. This same "Urdu speaker" sent Nawaz into exile, why don't you talk about the poor Punjabi? Fact is you must rise above these petty things.
By trying Musharraf, Nawaz hopes to discourage a future coup by our military from happening. It is a calculated step independent of Musharraf's ethnicity. This same institution has taken over in 1958 (preventing democracy from establishing in Pakistan and alienating East Pakistan to the point of separation), 1977 (Zia's Islamisation destroyed our culture, and his anti Shia outfits as well as extremist mindset ruined us) and now more recently in 1999.
Express Tribune, I know you moderate your comments throughly, but this "Musharraf is targeted because he's Urdu speaking" baloney has to be replied to. How anyone can not see what a precedent this trial sets is beyond me.
Mush has blood of Bugti and red mosque pupils on his hands. he should be sent to gallows.
Initiate against Zia as well. And the biggest benefciary was Nawaz Sharif and family/
And why just stop here, there is Ayub and Yahya.
Then also let's go it with the first parliament who changed the original views of Quaid layed in his speech on 11 Aug 1947,.
history will repeat it self and Nawaz and Company will be flying to KSA again.
@Fahad: Thanks and please be more proactive on this issue.
@Musharraf supporter: You just said what I did not want to say. This mind set is behind every tragedy this country has faced since its birth.
We should let Musharaf go and allow him to lead a normal life. Indeed if he wants to contest the election, let him do that. PMLN, has an opportunity to focus on problems of the country i.e law and order, recovery of the economy, militancy, sectarianism, electricity, rising poverty and unemployment. Our reputation and brand Pakistan is at the lowest level. Please Prime Minister do not waste time in such a useless activity? Many of Pervaz Musharraf's colleaues are in your party now and some are even ministers. A case like this will further alienate our armed forces, which is fighting a battle for such a long time.
They should do something positive rather than wasting time & our resources for their personal abhorabale agendas. Instead of fulfilling their vendettas and hatred at our cost they must deliver what they promised the people of Pakistan.
@1947:
one would wish this to be true? The object of the exercise is not to try the condemned man, who has committed more crimes than any other individual, but to expose those who partipated in his crimes?
Rex Minor
@True Karachiwala:
Well said man. According to article 6 (b) , All who supported Sir Musharraf will be tried too that includes PML Q, Imran Khan, Iftikhar Chaudry, all of PCO Judges.
Musharraf was one of the most honest and sincere leader Pakistan got and now people label him as "traitor". What about those who have taken their money into Swiss Accounts and into Saudi Arabia. ARE THEY NOT TRAITORS????
Shame on us.
The issue is not Musharraf. Issue is selective application of justice in Pakistan.
The only reason Musharraf is being tried is because he is a Urdu speaker and not part of the Punjabi establishment. No one has talked about putting other dictators on trial. No one is talking about aider and abaters which include CJ, Kiyani and many others. They have hand picked one and using him to set an example.
In thei country Benazir gets shot and Bhutto gets hanged. Bangladesh broke away because of same attitude. We will blame west for break up of Pakistan but it seems like Punjabi establishment has not learned. Its not about dictators. Its about enemity, personal issues, ethnic bias.I wish they show such seriousness when it comes to killing of people by organization based in Punjab. Anyway they will reap what they are sowing. And in a way it is doing that already with hundreds getting killed in that country due to their policies.
This is just another endless drama. This is only to keep poor citizen busy in breaking news.... The Government should plan for development of country these cases cannot not fulfill the needs of common person.
@asim: Moving as per Plan...... Just to fool people...????
@sattar rind: @Shan: @Syed: @S: @ahmad: @aaaaa: @Liberal: @Baloch: @Guest: @Kaleem:
Who is going to try PCO judges ? Without them being tried would justice be delivered ?
Great. Here we go, back to settling personal scores under the banner of democracy.
Bravo
Pakistan is facing very bad law and order situation. The seed of lawlessness was sowed by Pervez Musharraf. he must be hanged.
I think people are forgetting that Article 6 has another clause also. Article 6(b) clearly states that anyone with collaborated or cooporated or helped in anyway or supported the Suspension of constitution is guilty of high Treason.
So that includes most of the army chiefs, majors, generals, colonels, the armed forces itself, all the judges who took oath from PCO (that includes Iftikhar Chaudry), and all of people who joined PML Q and Imran Khan too.
Go on Nawaz Sharif, Thats better. Thats how load shedding, water crises, terrorism is gonna be solved...
For God Sake! Our biggest issue is law & Order situation, Inflation, hunger NOT Musharaf. Please raise our main issues at NA. Musharaf is not our issue.
whether you like it or not, Pakistan was a much MUCH better place to live in Musharraf era, there was much less inflation, low unemployment, and the institutions were generating profits, with new industries coming to life (media, telecommunication), plus even the law or order situation was much better. but yeah, who cares about the economy and welfare of the common man!
It would be dangerous. Very very dangerous. However its great and brave decision of the PMLn.
Guys, Please don’t say that Musharraf’s trail will harm Pak Army. He is a guilty dictator who has not only used the Pak Army in all his filthy politics like many other Generals in past years but he has damaged the image of Pakistan and Army all over the world. As consequences, now Pak Army has become a "traditional armed political party" in Pakistan instead of "Security Force" or a reliable institution.
1999 coup has been ratified by parliament in 17th amendment. that is the technical reason for not going after him for the 1999 coup. Same problem lies with earlier coups. Courts and parliaments gave protection. Was that wrong? Yes. Can that be overturned? That would be hard if not impossible. Only some constitution guru can devise a way, may be. But here we have the fearless Commando, who has been declared an usurper by court and no protection has been given either by court or parliament for his 2007 actions. Law of land should prevail and he should be trialled. As far as the current lot of politicians and judges trialling Musharaf is concerned, i think redemption of political and judicial fraternities is quite evident for some time now. Before elections whole nation was crying for change. Now this is a real change. Let us embrace it.
What about the judges who helped him?
Excellent job done nawaz sharif.No more sympathy needed for musharaff..He should be punished to the core..
No one shall be above the law. It's about time the military be held accountable.
I did not vote u Mr. PM NS but Now i am with you after this decision . This is not an essay path but God will help you . Long live Democracy long live Pakistan .
Either we respect and follow the constitution or we do not It makes no difference who is the person who broke the constitution
In Turkey, Generals of army were tried for attempted coup.in 1980 in Sep 2012
@YPMississauga: No one shall be above the law, not even the military
Mr. Prime-minister, please stop taking personal issues in NA and discuss the national challenges like power, health, education, etc. Be sensible and stop acting like rubbish personal, please
@Usman Aftab:
and i truly feel for the hundreds if not thousands of baloch families whose relatives have simply disappeared into thin air and have not come back in the last decade.
Musharraf act of subverting the constitution of Pakistan in Oct 1999 was endorsed by the Parliament of 2002 and Supreme court also approved his move in 1999, so, he cannot be trailed on that act.
For 3rd November act, those who are involved in this subversion should be trailed openly, no matter who so ever come under fire.
I m not a fan / supporter of PMLN but I think it is a correct decision in the interest of continuation of democracy. It should not be construed as personal revenge. It is not against the armed forces as an important institution. It is against a power hungry general who was led by his personal ambition to hijack the destiny of nation. Justice must be done to every mother's son. We should give credit to army chief Gen Kiyani who helped complete prv parliament its tenure and who defends continuation of democracy. When u contrast you will find that gen Mushrraf lacked self discipline and his overambitious behavior is responsible for ruining the country.
The mentality of "stupefaction of the people" shall never take an end in this country of irrational ideology!
Instead of wasting your time and energy with the destiny of already a dead man of the past, work honestly for your job and make your promises come true for the betterment of the predominantly poor population.
Seeking revenge is indeed the sweetest, but overcoming it is the talent of the enlightened!!!
Yes, he must be tried. No one is above the law and army must understand that.
having said that, I completely support army but there must be accountability
mush is big humiliator of army and people of pakistan
Musharraf is caught in the hands of this unthankful nation
i am so glad to hear this decision. Trial of Musharraf will strengthen institutions not weaken them.
I feel for Musharraf. Can never forget the way he revives and stabilised the economy. Truly feel bad for him. He was the man with a vision.
Trial will be incomplete & selective without indictment of Judges & politicians of 1977 & 1999 coups
Mian Saheb choose your priorities. FOR GOD SAKE!!!! Everyone is getting massacred in Pakistan and you went settle your personal score first or oh!!! maybe this is a counter-terrorism strategy? TTP will be happy that Gen Musharaf is being tried for treason and yeah now they'll become peace loving citizens and start feeding the pigeons!
How about the same for those who were involved in Asghar Khan case? Law should be equal for all.
Nobody but pmln could have done this. That much is clear. Excellent decision.
No body is above the law. Yes, trial him for treason because he managed country affairs better than elected respresentatives. Trail him because the Country and its economy saw new heights. Trail him because he dared looked into Americans' eyes and fooled them. Dear Prime Minsiter, you should also ensure all politicians be dragged to courts for corruption cases against them.
It will be interesting to see how the Supreme Court defends its position of validating the military take over. SC did not only validate it but also allowed the military dictator to amend the constitution.The CJP was a signatory on the historic judgement. What will become of the generals who acted on ground while Musharraf was flying around in a diverted aircraft. If the doctrine of necessity was to be set aside, in that case all actions taken by the dictator will have to be set aside as well. Including the judgments passed by judges who took oath under the PCO. Musharraf knew of this complexity and that is the reason why he decided to come and stay. The judges will drag this case to a point when all the actors in the drama are dead and gone. Very interesting time ahead.
This means,that there will be no treason case initiated against Musharraf.
His ego will not let him stay in the office for full term. He's still an idiot, he could not learn anything from his experiences. You just don't go for an all-out war against army in Pakistan.
Have you taken permission from the King, my dear PM?
This saga will only result into miss calculation and the people of this country will again suffer.The government must make sure the citizens of this country get the basic necessities of the life and their life is secure.
PMLN is moving as per PLAN
@Thor : Please elaborate.
only PML-N has enuf guts to do so .. Well done Wazeer E Azam Nawaz Sharif !
Iftikhar Chaudhry and Nawaz Sharif's partnership against Mushrraf has entered into its final phase - let's see who is victorious in this personal feud - the nation is unconcerned about Musharraf.
its real time to punish military dictators.today our country is in really trouble phase because of military didctators.
Let's see whose downfall is, Mausharaf or NS.
Let us see what happens...
@Thor
because in it the people who collaborated in this will also get death penalty. Since Justice Iftikhar chaudry also collaborated with musharaf by taking oath according to PCO. So thats the reason why 2007.
It is all revenge.
Musharraf along with all the abetors and supporters should be tried
saudi wont let it happen
This seems to be settling the old score . People are interested in law and order and employment.
I dont know, just asking that what you call when Shafirz Govt attacked SC, and on this Mush case, thing should be started from the begining, not from 2007. and this so called CJ should also be accounted for taking an oath from mush in 1999.
This man again is going to destroy himself by humiliating Pak army
YEAH, that will solve electricity, water, gas and all the problems of the land of pure.
Biggest mistake of pml n. why mess with Pak army again!
I saw the speech, its all about revenge.why mushy be answerable from 2007. why not 12 oct 1999?
Finally go and set an example. Enough of Military dominance on civil affairs!
Excellent, Nobody is above law and Musharraf should face the constitution which he breached multiple times. Long Live Democracy, a BIG NO to dictatorship.