Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
This was stated in a reply submitted by the government to the Supreme Court today.
On June 24, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced that Musharraf will be tried for treason under Article 6 of the Constitution of Pakistan. He is accused of subverting the constitution twice.
Soon after the decision, the apex court had set a three-day deadline to finalise a mechanism for treason trial. The government’s top lawyer Munir A Malik then called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss the case.
The Supreme Court had earlier declined a request by Malik to give the government a 30-day period to complete political consultations and finalise the mode of trial.
The retired general, who returned from four years of self-imposed exile in March, has been under house arrest at his plush farmhouse on the edge of Islamabad since April 19. He has been facing a slew of charges, including the proclamation of emergency rule on November 3, 2007 when he suspended the Constitution and put superior court judges under house arrest.
COMMENTS (13)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Musharaf is a dictator you may him former no would object, he must be tried in courts for high treason, it is very important to set a precedent, whoever, do it must be supported.
Law should take its due course in a transparent manner.
To me Mush was a dictator !
Musharraf. is the ex president of Pakistan and a very good one,that deserve respect of intelligent human being. best president Pakistan has had,since mr.zulifiqar ali Bhutto .who St-aired the country from dark ages,instead he made money and strengthened arm-force. all for Pakistan zindabad.as a true brave compatriot,knowing very well his illiterate nation with its revenge full politicians will seek his demise,but hope as Islam says hope he kept that alive to come back on hope,that he may help the country. shame on those who abuse him and his good name,which brings negative image of us the Pakistan this again is a revengeful policy not politics. Pakistan is every where all over the world and its people like these who get effected and distorted,wanting to come back for breaks and help the tourist industry but cant,because come back for what.where do we freely go around like we did once not too long ago.
Nawaz will regret this decision. Now most of the politicians will gang up against him and approach the army to seek help to topple the elected government. Seeing the writing on the wall, some politicians have already started sympathising with the dictator.
@Mohammad: Was he elected by any one, he became President by the barrel of the gun. He has violated the constitution of your country , do you have any respect for your constitution or if I recall correctly another General by the name of Zia had said that Constitution is nothing but a piece of paper and he could tear it in thousand pieces and he did.So another General came and tore it even further, perhaps in million pieces.
Great start by NS gov't. He has shown courage to himself take this treason case up and no less than announce it in the Assembly. Now his gov't will spend all its time mired in this mess, nothing will get done, no relief for the masses on energy, jobs, economy, terrorism or security. He will butt heads with institutions and blame his lack of results on Musharraf. Hey, isn't that the same as his last 2 govt's? Nothing has changed really.
Well done Prime Minister, start it from October 1999 or even earlier i.e. 1977 and take into account Article 6 completely, no one should be spared under the High Treason (Punishment) Act 1973. Great decision, now take the great leap forward and start it from 1977.
@Mohammad: "ET, stop writing him Dictator.." Why! can't you have courage to call spade a spade. He has destroyed the image of our military more than any other dictator and in the end failed in all his endeavors. All dictators ruined Pakistan from bad to worst in the name of corrupt politicians while corrupting them their-selves to indulge in politics that by itself is a treason. Involving military in politics and dis-reputing the entire institution must not be forgiven , if proven in court of justice. By a clean chit, our military must sacrifice without indulgence in politics and shy away from politics and see how immensely people love them and regain the same respect they had in 1965 or around.
@Mohammad - you deserve all appreciation from the people like me. The entire media (except few), judiciary, lawyers, crooked politicians including the so called educated guests on TV, both being paid by the govt and CIA, RAW etc. are against this great patriot general, who has done so much for our country taking all risks of life while in the air with 246 passengers when he was not allowed to land. No TV anchor and their guests talk about this incident which endangered all those precious lives at that time which is more than a treason. Forget all other activities of these politicians. I think we are heading toward a great natural punishment because of the misdeeds etc by these most chance taker politicians and ourselves being their supporters / voters. May Allah protect us from His wrath.
ET the point is valid stop writing Musharraff a Dictator. He is a Former President.
On one hand the legal system in Pakistan has to take on challenging and at times controversial cases...sometimes the courts have to reiterate that no one is above the law. The question remains if the country as a whole is really prepared to test the judicial system.
When one attempts to try a well connected individual for their crimes, the weaknesses in the judicial system tend to get exposed. For example, did the Swiss government reopen the cases against Mr Zardari?
Agreed @ Muhammad. If it is not a case of political victimization , then all those Judges who worked under him and provided judicial space must also be hanged with him as abetters in treason.and why not few ministers and federal secretaries as well , all those who were Yes men of his times for personal interest i.e promotions ,perks and positions etc.
ET, stop writing him Dictator.. he is a Former President and Former Chief of Army Staffs..... please tell your Editor if he is not aware of it.