Former president Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: FILE
In the letter, the ministry states that Musharraf had violated the constitution by imposing emergency rule in the country in November 2007.
According to the letter, a trial needs to take place as soon as possible with a 'special court' hearing the case. The prosecutor for the case needs to selected immediately as well, the letter further stated.
This letter will be sent to the Supreme Court by the Law Ministry.
The case can only proceed further after the judges are decided by the Supreme Court.
SC seeks names of the judges to hear treason case
Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has asked the chief justices of all five high courts of the country to nominate one judge from each high court by tomorrow, who would be a part of a ‘special court’ that would hear the treason case against the former president, Express News reported.
CJP Chaudhry has forwarded Law ministry's letter regarding the former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf's treason case to all the five high courts.
The Chief Justice will select three judges, one each from three high courts to hear the case.
Removal from ECL
The Sindh High Court (SHC) also adjourned the hearing of the petition regarding removing Musharraf's name from the Exit Control List (ECL) to November 22.
On November 12, SHC had issued a notice to the federal law officer, chief provincial law officer and prosecutor general Sindh, asking them to submit their comments on Musharraf’s application to have his name removed from ECL.
A division bench of the SHC, headed by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, was seized with the hearing of the application filed by the former army chief. Musharraf wanted the court to modify its earlier order, which had restrained him from leaving the country without permission of trial courts.
Treason case
The government will formally request the Supreme Court today to constitute a ‘special court’ to try former military ruler Pervez Musharraf for high treason.
“Following the judgment of the Supreme Court and a report submitted by an inquiry committee, it has been decided to start proceedings against Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf under Article 6 of the Constitution,” Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had told a news conference in the federal capital on November 17.
“It is happening for the first time in the history of Pakistan. This case is very sensitive and important and the decision has been taken in the national interest,” he had added.
The move comes after Musharraf was granted bail in other criminal cases against him, including the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto, slaying of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti and Lal Masjid siege.
The All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), the political party of Pervez Musharraf, had said that the former military ruler will face the charges in the court and prove his innocence. On the other hand, opposition parties had termed the government’s decision to invoke Article 6 against Musharraf a “tactic to divert public attention from sectarian unrest” in Rawalpindi .
COMMENTS (19)
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@kapt slim: "That is the most important thing we need …. very good decision by PMLN …. this case will bring the prices down, edibles will become cheaper …. economy will improve … Pakistan Cricket Team will start winning …. loadshedding will no longer be a problem …. TTP will throw weapons …. sectarian issues will be resolved " --- this is what some fools wish us to believe or at least hope.
@Karamat: If he was such a hero, why did he leave Pakistan? We have short memories, the whole country came on the streets and raised slogans "Vardi Utharo" [get rid of uniform]. It meant a clear signal that Pakistanis do not support Army rule. The treason trial will put a stop to any future army take-over. Long Live Pakistan
@kapt slim: Lol - I would love to see your comment in another article :) link :) http://tribune.com.pk/story/633083/in-the-dock-again-musharraf-to-be-tried-for-treason/#comment-1800185
I think this useless government should stop wasting tax payers money on trying to put Mushraf behind bars . He did everything right according to the situation at that time. These so called clown politicians should focus on eliminating terrorism n loadshedding n proving basic law n order in the country rather than evicting mushraf
@Hunter Punter, agreed, + think from the perspective that, both PPP has already failed and ultimately, PML-N will fail in delivering anything for the country during their tenure. Look at the ministries being allocated to the relatives of PML-N (that is named "Democracy") by the rulers.
Rather than concerntrating on working on simply resolving Economic/security issues, previous and current democractic govt are busy in creating a divide between the people and amry.
That is the most important thing we need .... very good decision by PMLN .... this case will bring the prices down, edibles will become cheaper .... economy will improve ... Pakistan Cricket Team will start winning .... loadshedding will no longer be a problem .... TTP will throw weapons .... sectarian issues will be resolved
Just another political tactic to divert attention from all the failures of this government. Can't govern, can't provide security, can't control the inflation, can't provide jobs, can't grow the economy - but yes we have the time to pursue ill advised frivolous cases against Musharraf to cover government's incompetencies. By the way, where is the name of the judiciary in this case that endorsed not only the 1999 action but also the 2007 PCO action? And all the politicians who were behind it, that are sitting in today's government and opposition? I am looking forward to this trial as this will expose the 2-faces of all these bigots.
Musharraf's rule is much remembered by the citizens of Pakistan. When vindictive politicians of PML(N) are seen single-mindedly chasing Musharraf rather than doing someting to improve lives of the people of Pakistan (who must now be cursing themselves for voting PML-N into power), one is forced to think if such a democracy is any solution for Pakistan? If this situation continues I am afraid the so-called democracy will be short-lived.
instead of Musharraf,, trail of Ziu-ul-haq should be done who created the present mess and giving us brainless leadership which we are facing..latest being Rawalpindi incidence..
I was never a big fan of Musharraf but what he did at Lal Masjid was absolutely justified against a 'mullah mini-state' within a state, with a full-fledged arsenal of arms with a declared war on the infidel Pakistani state. So, for that he cannot be tried for treason, at least. Interestingly, the second in command of Lal Masjid, Amir Siddiqui, a known terrorist, has recently been appointed by the Supreme Court/Government in the Musharraf trial case. Clearly the state now is much closer to terrorists than ever before.
The case is already very weak.
Shame, shame, shame!
If Mr 10% can become president of Pakistan then Musharraf can go to jail for treason. No one is above the law of the land not even the army.
The judgement of controversial courts will fatten the controversial history of our much controversial Judiciary
Yes, treason case for being sincere with Pakistan