Former dictator Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: AFP
Despite the interior minister’s explanation on why the treason case had not moved forward, renowned lawyer Salman Akram Raja holds that the government had not pursued the matter. He pointed out that the FIA team has neither registered an FIR nor presented charge-sheet in court in this regard, which is a prerequisite under the law.
One of the members of the FIA team investigating the matter admitted that they had failed to get any concrete information or document about the emergency enforced on November 3, 2007. He said that they have learnt about a “meeting” held to decide on the matter but were yet to get permission to collect records.
“Nobody knows about the plan for November 3, 2007, except those present at the house where the meeting was held. We have sought permission to collect information but we are yet to get a response,” said the officer on the condition of anonymity. “Without access to this information, we will not be able to make a reference”, he further admitted.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 13th, 2013.
COMMENTS (22)
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1732549780-0/Speaker-Na-photo-22_04_2014-(1)1732549780-0-270x192.webp "negotiations underway between government pti over sit in venue")
This episode is just a drama. He will be released on the plea of weak case. He has guarantees of KSA and US. So no worries for Mush Lovers!
The present democractic set up, is the result of Nov 3, proclamation of emergency by Musharraf. All the reasons given for imposition of emergency had been proven right.The then SC also validated it. Otherwise,the SC led by Iftikhar Chaudhry would have played havoc with the country and democracy resulting in a total chaotic conditons. The actions of the CJ iftikhar Chaudhry after his restoration in the year 2009, is ample proof of correctness of Nov 3,actions of the then President/ COAS Gen Musharraf.
Release Mushsrraf
If I recall correctly, Musharraf did say that he has violated the constitution by invoking emergency in 2003 on BBC, so what kind of evidence FIA needs to prosecute the violator of the constitution. The problem with us Pakistanis is that we talk and talk about the constitution but in reality no one respect the constitution and abide by it. If the nation would respect and abide by the constitution then we would not be in this mess. The fact is that the constitution and the laws are only meant for the masses and the ruling class of Pakistan could not care less for intricacies of the constitution as they are above the law. It is time to establish a precedence regardless who they are and that includes the Generals, for once the country should bring the violators of the constitution and the laws of the land to justice. Musharraf has done wrong to the country and the people in order to perpetuate his illegal rule and he must face the law now and bear the consequences. I know many of the cowards who has run away from the country to avoid the law and justice.
Permission from whom? The man admitted on live tv to breaking the constitution and then had the gall to quote Lincoln of all people. The entire Pakistani population was a witness to treason.
No more NOORA KUSHTI !!
Musharraf should be released from all the charges and should be allowed to contest election .
He will stay in Pakistan and fulfil the demands of majority of pak Population
And what about Nawas had PIA plane diverted to india which was running low on feul, endangering kids and women on board aswell as commander in chief.Does this not qualify for treason.
Everyone complains about the current state of anarchy and lawlessness in the country. And yes, under the law removal of an elected government by force is an act of high treason. So either we should stop complaining or we should insist that the law take it's course. Cherry picking laws, applying those that suit our views and ignoring those that don't, will only go to prove that we are not only totally selfish as a nation but completely brain dead as well. The fact is that Musharraf broke a very serious law and common sense ought to insist that he should be tried for it. Those who support Musharraf should pick up placards and use their civic rights to peacefully demonstrate for him.
To try the generals, mian nawaz sharif needs to have the calibre, will and deterbmination similar to Turkish Prime Minister, which he lacks.. hence no question to try Mushraff for high treason particularly when his recommender for the post of COAS Ch Nisar is interior minister . In this shame democracy, NS government could not dare to announce the retirement of COAS and Gen Kiyani had to rescue them from this dilemma. Now the nawaz government is not finding it convenient to announce the names of new CJCS and COAS because they are searching for purported loyals to them who after assuming the office will show them the door. As for the shabby fact that Mushraff era was better than PPP and PML N, the reason is that in the tenure of military dictators, treasurer of american aid is open to us. I recall the days of Ayub Khan when the price of atta was Rs 40 per maund sugar was sold at Rs 1.50 per kilo,cereals,milk and beaf price was around Rs 1 per kilo and the pay of Class-1 officer used to be around Rs 400.
In Pakistan.......General, General hota hai, chai acha ho, yea bura.
musharaff time was much better than these silly governments PPP and pmln, Musharaff was better for us.
"He pointed out that the FIA team has neither registered an FIR nor presented charge-sheet in court in this regard, which is a prerequisite under the law. "FIA: Federal Incompetent Agency
The problem in not proceeding with high treason charge is that Sub-Section (2) of same Article 6 of the Constitution reads -
"Any person aiding or abetting the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason"
This brings into its ambit of high treason all judicial actions sanctifying the coup, the persons remained associated as Cabinet Ministers, PMs, Speakers & even President(Rafiq Tarrar) of that time. It may be recalled that besides stalwarts like Shaikh Rashid Ahmed, Tariq Azim, Ch Shuaat, Parvaiz Illahi, other political parties remained loyal, the role of persons like Mushahid Hussain Syed then Nawaz Shariff's loyalist be also recalled. When coup came and he was apprehended, he started weeping in public eye to show his innocence and get off the hook. All along subsequently he was seen all through deeply associated with coup and thus aided and abetted. Now again he has changed his loyalties.
In this scenario when everybody is naked in Hammam, who can and how the requirements of Constitution be fulfilled.
if treason case is pursued against Gen M, then treason case should be made against Gen Ayub, Yahya, Zia and Mr Bhutto who made himself as the first Civilian MLA in the history of Pakistan....no double standard.
There is nothing going to happen to Musharraf and as in the other cases Musharraf's bail has been sanctioned his bail shall be sanctioned in Lal Masjid case and one day that shall come surely when Musharraf shall be a free man and all the cases against him shall be discharged Insha Allah Almighty. Proceedings/prosecutions in the different courts of Pakistan against Musharraf are just time and money wasting......
If we still want to live in the past.......then dig up all the cases, especially of the murder of the Prime Ministers..........Liaquat Ali Khan and Z A Bhutto. Salams
Never gonna happen. Khallaas
YES
A call from Riyadh or Washington is treated as an order which has to be necessarily obeyed as well as implemented by the Govt of Pakistan.
Unless the Army considers it a treason to stage coup, take over govt. and impose emergency or marshal law, no civilian govt. at this time can prosecute an ex-army general for Treason!
It is as simple as that. Deny all you want, but Pakistan is still not ruled by Law, or by govt. It is ruled by Army. We can believe otherwise, when a court can punish top generals for their perfidious actions.