Former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: AFP
The former president faces treason charges under Article 6 for suspending, subverting and abrogating the Constitution, imposing an emergency in the country in November 2007 and detaining judges of the superior courts.
As the hearing of the treason case started today, a team of the federal police reached the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) in Rawalpindi to pick the former president up to take him to the court.
The three-member bench, led by Justice Faisal Arab, had directed the former president on March 11 to appear in person before the special court to hear the charges being read out against him. On March 13, the special court maintained its decision to indict Musharraf on March 14 (today).
During the hearing of the case today, Justice Arab said that the former president will be indicted even if he does not appear before the court today.
Musharraf's lawyer Ahmed Raza Kasuri, on the other hand, stated that this cannot happen as the former president's presence was required for indictment.
Musharraf's legal team also submitted a new request, reiterating that the special court does not have the authority to summon Musharraf.
Over three months ago, the 70-year-old had fallen ill and taken to AFIC where he is still under treatment.
Kasuri speaks to media
Kasuri, while speaking to the media in Islamabad, stated that it was difficult for Musharraf to appear before the court today because of security reasons.
He said that the security in-charge has to submit a report regarding the security before the former president can appear before the court, adding that the report cannot be finished within 72 hours.
He further said that the report needed at least 1-2 weeks.
Kasuri also said that Prosecutor Akram Sheikh requested the court to read out the charge-sheet against Musharraf in front of the lawyers.
COMMENTS (45)
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@AK: Totally agree with you and PML-N's government is never going to start trial from October 1999 because Nawaz Sharif ordered the concerned authorities to stop Musharraf's plane from landing when Musharraf was coming from Sri Lanka and thus Nawaz Sharif may/shall be prosecuted for his this illegal act.....
Thts completely nonsense to have a trial from November 2007. It should have been from October 1999. Courts and politicians saving culprits involved in 1999 coup as most of them have become inocent due to their support for current governement and judiciary. If Army does not want Musharraf to be indicted, the same is the case with Judiciary and Politicians. They are not willing their (so-called) heros to be indicted. Justice should be served on equal basis otherwise this is just personal grudges..
Special fake court,special fake court's judges and leadership are living in fools' paradise and trying to attain the unattainable.When they will wake up from the dreams of carelessness????
All Pakistani citizen can taken an example of Musharraf's behavior with the country's highest courts. After all we are all the same in the eyes of the Almighty and even the Law of the land. /sarc off
This Musharraf circus is getting so hilarious and entertaining, he should start charging a fee to watch it, read about it or report about it! I can't wait for his next court trip drama and the new ailments that will suddenly "force" him instead to head for the hospital.
@javed Khan: "What kind of person is this Musharaf; is he above the law." Yes, he is above the law as he abrogated the Constitution twice.
@Sheeda Tilli: You must not be Pakistani but an Indian troll as it is only Indians who blame the Pak Army for Kargil. The Army is not incensed at Musharraf being answerable to the courts. He has faced all the courts so far with personal appearances even before small court judges. The Army is incensed at the wrongful case and a biased judicial bench formed for one purpose only. Now go back to reading your own Indian Times or something. We love our military.
Musharraf is being protected by the military and these biased judges know it. They and NS are intent on picking up a quarrel with the Army. This time through an unjust case and hand picked judges who are assembled just to convict him. So far they have not disappointed by rejecting each and every petition and shamelessly (in IK words) sitting on the bench despite their clear partisanship.
@javed Khan: "What example is being set for our future generations." "Enlightened moderation!!!"
Even President Nixon and President Clinton,Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi had to appear before judicial courts to face law. What kind of person is this Musharaf; is he above the law. What example is being set for our future generations. Is there any provision in Constitution that exempts a person of some special rank from provision of law. What did Musharaf oath of office say. Let justice be done according to law.All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.
Wheels being polished on triple brigade vehicles.
Hats off to the Supreme court and a country where all kinda dacoits who have plundered this poor country and its people are free smiling at the system and a person in whose era Pakistan progressed is been taken to task maybe for not plundering like the champions of democracy!
The country was at the edge of bankruptcy when Musharraf took over and it now again is going to same direction... indeed his crime of trying to bring country to progress was too big.
reached half way reading his book, " In the Line of Fire" Not a pro Muhsraf guy- But if you see the fact- The case is surely on personal grudges. As the way the plane hijack incident happened. NS should be behind bars also. And during the book i understand why the NS regime is not so keen to start the case from 99- Rather then making the emergancy the base against the retired general. If, the stated in the book is correct, than NS should have a case of Man Slaughter- attempt to kill over 200 people- for the greed of his chair.!! The case against the retired general cant be fair!
March 31st now? This is dragging forever. I want to see the climax of the story earlier, and know what Sharifs sold our Country for to the Saudis.
What a unbearble tension for a seventy year old cardiac patient. Every day he gets ready for the sword of democles to fall but it is postponed at the last minute. It reminds me of the execution process in the USA. Is it fair? any sane man would become mad leave aside a cardiac patient. In his case the chances of sudden death are high! His situation amounts to torture in disguise. Is this justice or painful execution in slow motion?
brain dead people can't even see what harm they are causing to future of Pakistan in shape of hurting a visionary leader. Any harm to our leader won't be tolerated.
@Sheeda Tilli: It is not Musharraf's army, it is Pakistan's army and like any institution it has a difference of opinion (within its ranks.) I believe it also recognizes that an individual's acts do not necessarily reflect those of the institution.
Triple Brigade is getting ready.
Keep trying ... keep trying.
Musharraf cannot evade justice for the rape of the judiciary, and the subversion of the State and the Constitution, period.
Is he still around? I thought he was very ill and no one was qualified enough to treat him?
Rex Minor
In addition to the NRO, he should be tried for treason because he was trying to educate the people of Pakistan.
Musharaf: the enlightened liberal
how dare U.......
Musharraf truely cut a sorry figure........something that's his own doing.
The Court has been very patient and the legal team of Mr Musharaf are not acting as officers of court but sadly defying the court. What is any criminal hides in hospital for any reason; is it being suggested that court cannot or should not try him/her The court should proceed and indict him for high treason under Article 6 and proceed according to law
It is said that musharraf's army is incensed at his "insult" of being answerable to law despite being a general. We ordinary Pakistanis wonder why musharraf's army is not incensed over his role in getting hundreds of army men killed in kargil conflict and the humiliating defeat against india, why is it not incensed at the deceptive policy of his which resulted in death of thousands of civilians and soldiers in terrorism? why is it not incensed at his creation of NRO which purged the most filthiest of corrupt criminals and their corruption and crimes???