Former dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: REUTERS
The request was submitted by Interior Secretary Shahid Khan, stating that Musharraf had violated the constitution by imposing emergency rule in the country in November 2007.
Treason case
On November 17, the federal government had decided to initiate treason proceedings against Musharraf under Article 6 of the Constitution.
It had requested the Supreme Court on November 18 to constitute a ‘special court’ for the former dictator’s trial.
Attorney General Munir A Malik had said that there is strong evidence against Musharraf and that he can be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
The federal government on December 9 finalised a charge-sheet, cataloging five charges against Musharraf including imposing emergency in the country on November 3, 2007, detaining superior courts’ judges and abrogating the constitution by imposing the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO).
The decision to start this case came after Musharraf was granted bail in criminal cases against him, including the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto, slaying of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti and Lal Masjid siege.
COMMENTS (14)
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The countdown for Musharraf’s punishment starts! This is the right time to undo the blunders of recent past.
@Ch. Allah Daad: What makes you think the majority of the nation cares about the constitution when their constitutionally elected leaders only plunder the country? In Pakistan's history it is the elected governments who have destroyed the country while in Musharraf's time Pakistan prospered. Your logic does not bear facts. The people's first priority is good governance that leads to economic prospecrity and security - on both of these grounds Musharraf was much better than your constitutionally elected leader.
This will backfire. Some people want to punish Musharraf because he brought prosperity and respect to Pakistan. We as a nation are good to be ruled by the corrupt leaders. Musharraf we love you Sir.
@Nikki:
Yes, the government needs to perform for Pakistani people.I have studied political history of Pakistan, it is sad that all type of regimes used their potential in taking revange. They just forget aout their coming days without rule and do everythinh in hodgepodge
@zahidsaeedabbassi:
Examin the historical facts before you comment. It was not Nawaz Sahrif behind the Martial Law of 1970s.Please do correct and then get back to comment.
@Arasal: "History is being made"! Talk about fantasies and falsification of reality and some among us would shamelessly cross all limits. History is not made, buddy, it just quietly and impartially records the good and the bad, the virtues and the evils, the wisdom and the idiotic actions a people take to either be known for their purpose or for their follies and their stupidities. You can manufacture whatever pleases your sense of history, but truth would adamantly stay with us and the History would talk about this mockery of justice and degradation of an honourable man. The honourable place, in our history, which President Musharraf has earned for himself can not and may not be denied or deprived. History would give its verdict about our limited wisdom and biased sense of right and wrong.
@AK: For you and for many others, this case is less important than cases of corruption but for majority of the nation, our first priority should be to protect and respect constitution and laws of the land.. If most powerful people abrogates constitution and disrespect their Oath, nobody would, and it would result in plundering and corruption of exchequer. Common people follow their rulers and become like them. If powerful are punished for their crimes, trust me, nobody would dare to commit any misdeed.
How about actually given the man his day in court? He now has 4 charges against him with forced confinement (albeit luxurious confinement) yet no trial.
As long as the feudals and aristocrats continue to mismanage and exploit the country and its citizens, they can write whatever they want into the constitution but military rule will always just be 1 jeep drive away.
i think first nawaz should be fixed first for conivance with General Zia ul Haq. Musharraf metter can be looked afterwards.
@Nikki: History is being made in Pakistani politics ,dont assume that is the wastage of time .
Sir, Nation need you only.
We have to decide our priorities, is this important or cases of millions and billions plundered and now sitting in offshore accounts. The argument that this case will halt any further march by army into Islamabad is really a wishful thinking. The only way these politicians can stop army from interfering in government is by getting their office in order. The narrow thinking of just completing a term and than wait for the turn can only benefit the governing elite and will not give politicians the backing of the nation, which they require to keep army in barracks.
I assume the government will be wasting national exchquer,people's time,consquently, nothing will come out. Turkish example caanot be applied in Pakistan becuase their civil rulers put their economy on the right track in eight years and then they initiated cases against retired generals. The governmet should first deliver for common man and then start these type of episodes.