Bailable warrants for former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf were issued on Friday. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Police on Monday journeyed to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC), armed with the bailable warrant for Musharraf.
A special court constituted to try Musharraf for high treason had issued a warrant on Friday, carrying a bail bond of Rs2.5 million. The court had also ordered the Islamabad police to submit a compliance report to the court on February 7.
Since the start of the trial, Musharraf has not appeared before the court. The proceedings against him started late December last year.
The 70-year-old retired general is currently hospitalised at the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) in Rawalpindi. He was rushed to the AFIC and admitted there exactly a month ago, after he complained of chest pain en route to the court.
Inspector General of Islamabad Police Sikandar Hayat confirmed to The Express Tribune on Saturday that police had received the bailable arrest warrant from the court. Hayat said a police officer from the force will now serve the warrant to Musharraf.
“He [Musharraf] will be given two options: either to be arrested or to submit a surety bond for his bail,” the police chief said.
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Bow down in front of the rule of law - it is jungle rule. Late Benazir Bhutto Ex-Prime Minster of Pakistan had correctly described the Pakistani courts as “Kangroos Courts” and lately Asma Jehangir has seconded her. In such a situation justice in Musharraf’s case is far fetched. If justice is intended than the judges of the special court who are unwelcome by the defense must resign from bench. Musharraf did not Abrogate, nor Subvert the Constitution in Oct 1999 nor in Nov 2007. He enforced Emergency in both cases. On 3rd Nov 2007, the constitution was held in Abeyance, meaning, temporarily deferred, a state of temporary disuse or suspension or put aside temporarily. Original Article 6, operative in 2007, is not attracted. The amended Article 6, which incorporates “held in Abeyance” has no retrospective effect therefore it cannot to applied on Musharraf. If his act of suspending certain articles of the constitution is considered as treason, than the politicians in the driving seat commits treason frequently and deliberately. In one of the TV talk shows, Barrister Muhammad Akram Sheikh Public Prosecutor clearly admitted that Musharraf acted clever and did not abrogate the constitution but held it in abeyance. He also admitted that 18th amendment have no retrospective effect. The phrase "held in abeyance" was inserted in Article 6 (1) through 18th amendment in the original Article 6 therefore it is not attracted in Musharraf's case, He has not committed treason. The angles, NS and AAZ whose cases are pending since many years should be tried first, Musharraf may also present himself for trial before honourable court, in the view of Asma.
The fact of the matter is that with each passing day Musharraf is approaching closer to his logical end. The foremost points that the Law is taking it’s own course without external dictates. First the Musharraf’s lawyer tried to implicate the entire Army command but he failed to incite subversion from the prestigious institution. Then he kept clamoring, with his loud voice, for help from the West/Saudi but failed. He tried to scandalize the judiciary but failed once again. The maximum that Musharraf can do is to keep hiding in the hospital at Taxoayers expense. At last, he has no choice but to bow down in front of the rule of law because the doctrine of necessity is buried forever. Long Live Pakistan!
@Sexton Blake: Thank you for putting me wise.
@Syed Ahmed: Dear Syed, The bail was set at Rs2,500,000. My understanding was that there were 100 Rs to the dollar. If my maths are accurate $25,000 is the same as Rs2,500,000. In actual fact I was not totally accurate because the Pakistan Rupee has depreciated to 105.518 to the US dollar. Pakistan inflation is moving somewhat faster than I realized, and the US dollar figure should be $23,692 if inflation remains static for a few days. Thank you for your advice.
@khalid: "kangaroos court"
@sabi: In Jan 2014 Foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) have declined to a 12-year low of $2.9 billion and exchange rate to Rs110. Musharraf began his government in 1999 with US $1.7 billion. In 2007 Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves were over $17 billion. Large scale manufacturing grew by 18.1% in 2004 compared to 3.6% in 1999. Dollar exchange rate was constant Rs60.
@Sexton Blake: It is 2.5 million.
@Pakistani: Whatever, Musharraf is far better than the powerful, rich and well-connected money launderers, bank loan defaulters, tax evaders and forged degree holders forming part of the civil hierarchy. Combined they have doomed the country. Musharraf took Pakistan out of the IMF Program. Dollar has reached Rs.107, it was for Rs.60 during 2000 - 2007. With battered economy the current foreign debt ands over $70 billion. The domestic debt is even higher; more than about $75 billion. The government is printing Rs 6.3 billion worth currency notes on daily basis, increasing inflation rate from 5% to 10.9% in a brief time of less than seven months. Every child born in Pakistan in 2012-2013 carries a debt of over Rs.100,000 over his shoulders. Of late Sharif brothers have staged a ‘loot sale’ factually ‘clearance sale’ in the garb of privatization only to purchase the national assets themselves through their business partners. Which is grater sin?
@shah: Please always try your utmost to mention and involve Bhuttos in every evil.and share it it mostly.Only this is the remedy for our all troubles.
where was the justice when Nawaz Sharief attacked the Supreme Court, its all about might is right, this country is all about racism
Being ardent supporter for General Musharraf, I would suggest him to appear before the special court on the appointed date, though he has little hope on the Court. Even if you are indicted and convicted, this does not matter to your supporters because we believe that you are a true patriotic and whatever you did, you did without bad intent. Although your step of third November was beyond constitutional limits but this your act is still debatable whether or not its quantum had a significant bearing to qualify a charge of high treason according to renowned principles of Jurisprudence.
You opponents would lose as you lost in 2007 because change is permanent. With passage of time, environment against you would tilt towards you if you face a malicious justice. Let time write history. The people shall soon identify if you face malicious justice. At this stage, SC could not give you relief by reviewing this decision because they do not want to give license to the current Prime Minister, who had once assaulted SC in the past and this decision of SC is justified to a great extent. At a later stage as I feel, SC may provide you either of the relief, permission for retrial through military court or granting a special waiver/forgiveness on the ground that putting the constitution in abeyance was not an express crime under previous Article 6, provided you submit to the honour of the Special Court.
Of late, Jasmeen Manzoor of SAAMA TV unfolded Nawaz Sharif and Chaudhry Iftikhar’s drama. On or about Dec 21, 2013, night Chaudhry Nisar and Nawaz Sharif quietly drove to Simley Dam Rest House (RH), without protocol to assess its feasibility as sub-jail for Pervaiz Musharraf. Arrangements are being made to handcuff Musharraf and lodge him in the RH. Islamabad administration has also been told to declare RH as Sub-jail. Chaudhry Nisar and Chaudhry Iftikhar have been meeting a Judge of the special court at night to obtain assurances for hand-cuffing Musharraf on his first appearance in the court. In the whole deal efforts were made to save Gen Kayani. Nawaz Sharif has promised Gen Kayani that FIA will not interrogate him nor he will be asked make any statement before them. PM Nawaqz Sharif has given special instructions to Chaudhry Nisar – save Gen Kayani and implicate Gen Musharraf. A Judge has promised Nawaz Sharif that Musharraf will soon be behind bars.
If Musharraf is so confident that he did not commit an act of treason then why he has taken so much time to show up at the court?
Those who break their oaths with their creator are actually weak in character how can they serve their nation with strength.See Zia and Musharraf and what kind of Pakistan they left behind.
This man should start behaving now.
I should imagine that $25,000 bail is petty cash for the General.
@Naim: @Malik Hamza: I think you need a reality check on all the problems your brave soldier/commando brought upon this country in his rein.
@Malik Hamza: "This country seriously need help,when i say help i mean serious help" Couldn't help laughing...patriotic soldier....so should be zia ul haq and yahya khan....you seriously need to see a doctor....
@Malik Hamza: How about patriotic thieves or murderers or embezzlers? Should they not be tried because they are patriotic? Leave prejudice, my friend, and come to real world.
@Nadir: Give them a piece of land to set up another DHA and they will be pretty motivated for sure........
@Naim: And dear Naim, how do you establish a real court? Bring back Dogar or bring the court which pledges its allegiance to a usurper of power rather that constitution of Pakistan. Get real, my friend. @Nadir: If it is real army, not a rouge one, why should it be demotivated by bringing to justice a criminal among themselves? Allah (swt) commands to bear true witness (doing justice) even if against yourselves or your families, and whether rich or poor. Islamic traditions strictly demand of Muslims not to be like some earlier people who used to punish their poor and spare the powerful.
We Pakistanis need to grow up, whats the point of treating a patriot like this ? All decisions of Musharraf were in favor of Pakistan during that time
Let me guess, all these people bashing musharraf are the supporters of nawaz and zardari (Mr 10%)?
very few countries in the world are blessed with leaders like Musharraf and dr mahatir who have served their nation's with pride honestly and courage,had to make some unpopular decisions for sake of nation,both of these leaders are respected and admired world wide,how they have turned these struggling nation s on to path of prosperity and success.........General Musharraf we salute you.......you are pride of Pakistan....
@Nadir: Why on earth will Army get demotivated? if we are not banana republic, No one should be above the law, and our Army should also be taught in plain words that under the law of the land, every one is equal and those who obey it and respect it, in fact they are true patriotic people. Even Hazrat Umar presented himself before the courts. Please dont make excuse to save Mushraf using Military Card. This politics of Card must end now and we all learn to respect courts of law.