A file photo of former president Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD/ KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered the removal of former president Pervez Musharraf's name from the Exit Control List (ECL), Express News reported on Thursday.
However, the two-member bench of the SHC has suspended this order for around two weeks giving the federal government time to appeal against the decision before the Supreme Court.
The order will be enforced in 15 days in case the government fails to make an appeal by then.
Musharraf's lawyer Farogh Naseem said that a memorandum, which placed Musharraf’s name on the ECL, will be struck down after 15 days. He added that "if the federal government does not have a vengeful objective, they can withdraw the memorandum before this period is up."
Speaking to media in Karachi, Naseem said that “right to travel is a fundamental right,” adding that Musharraf does not want to live as a convict.
On May 29, the SHC had reserved its verdict on Musharraf’s petition for striking his name off the ECL.
Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Salman Aslam Butt had said that there is apprehension that once the petitioner is allowed to leave the country, he would never return to face the high-treason trial.
The former president’s lawyer Farogh Nasim had challenged the move, calling it ‘patently presumptuous’.
Appeal rejected
Earlier in the day, a court in Islamabad dismissed Musharraf's appeal for exemption from appearing in the Abdul Rashid Ghazi murder case, Express News reported.
The former president has been ordered to appear before the court on July 1.
Musharraf also faces treason charges for subverting and circumventing the Constitution by imposing emergency on November 3, 2007. The federal government had placed his name on the ECL, stating he might try to abscond.
APML lauds SHC decision
The All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) has welcomed the order of SHC to remove the name of Musharraf from the ECL after 15 days, terming it “a long overdue decision in the interests of justice.”
In a statement following the verdict of the two-member bench of the SHC, Chaudry Sarfraz Anjum Kahlon, political advisor to the former president said, “the decision confirms that there is no legal merit in Nawaz Sharif's politically vindictive objective to deny Musharraf the fundamental right to travel freely, and exposes Nawaz Sharif's actions as unlawful."
Kahlon added that the verdict “was a blow to Nawaz Sharif who is on a path of executing personal revenge against Musharraf, and any attempt by the federal government to block the order will expose the federal government as having no respect for the rule of law."
Kahlon also said that “Musharraf’s decision to voluntarily return to Pakistan to face the courts without a deal in place is unprecedented in the history of Pakistan, and he should be awarded due recognition for respecting the judicial process."
"Musharraf is determined to get his name cleared from all the political motivated allegations pressed against him and is in strong spirits," he added.
COMMENTS (53)
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@Saeed If you like to see justice done as you say why don't you ask for Imran Khan to submit to 100 lashes as per our Hudood law for creating a daughter out of wedlock in the US? I haven't seen any submissions from you in this regard or does your hunger for justice only apply regarding General Musharraf?
@Zain Feel sorry for yourself. You sound like a "gora suitcase carrier" who will gulp whatever scraps the goras feed you. Be proud of your culture instead of blindly accepting western concepts of so called international relations where they have failed miserably.
wow! pakistan is a country where even if u abrogate constitution people love u! farogh naseem says, ' travelling is a fundamental right' very good then wht abt the other poor pakistanies who did nothing but they are in jail! fight for their rights first! i think we should give an international add to attract people towards pakistan by saying them come in pakistan do wht ever u want-- order to kill people, abrogate the laws, allow other countries to use the land of pakistan, show yr hand infront of the people for telling them how powerfull u r, no one can say u any thing as u will be provided the lawers like farogh naseem who by telling yr fundamental rights allow u to fly easily from pakistan! i respect parveez musharraf as he fought in the battle fields for pakistan but i wud respect him more if he stays here and face the court coz as a pakistani i want to see equality of justice! i respect army from the core of my heart(specially the shuhada of army) but no one even in the army is greater than HAZRAT UMER R.A and HAZRAT ALI R.A. so if they could be called in the courts so who r we? i want to see peace, justice and self respect of every one in my country pakistan! farogh bhai sorry if i u think i m a little harsh and gen. parveez musharraf (rtd) sorry to u as wel if u think i did wrong!
@ali @dilawar
I feel sorry for people like you, who have absolutely no idea about history nor international relations. Masses like you deserve corrupt politicians.
If you get a chance please watch any two interviews of General Musharraf and IK undertaken by Indian journalists or television comperes on Indian soil. The army warrior shines resplendently in his bold and fearless answers, in his intelligent analysis, in putting across credible facts and figures at every opportunity and never allows the Indian media to get the better of him. He bats for Pakistan fiercely not letting them score a point on any level or fluster him with their unmitigated lies about Pakistan. General Musharraf is a true patriot and is extremely well informed as well as his habit of answering all questions with candour and truthfully whilst never letting his adversaries tilt his balance. I have watched several interviews of his in India where the Indian media try assiduously to bamboozle him with no success at all and get left with egg on their faces. He is a seasoned political performer and never forgets the country he bats for - he is a proud Pakistani and should now be left to reconnect with his family and extended family. General Musharraf did have one glaring inadequacy. Having not lived amongst westerners for any length of time he had an embarrassing personal inferiority complex in relation to the west, not having received proper family training in Islam and the best traditions of eastern culture. Re the missing people also I believe he should have a penalty to pay. No one should lose a family member because the US in their short-circuited thinking demands on the basis of flimsy evidence that we kidnap anyone they point to and express post to them - this should never have happened and it did under Musharraf. Also Dr Afia should never have been directed there and he was wrong to preside over this travesty of justice (repeatedly and is Bush there to help him now - a resounding NO). All the missing people should be accounted for and no one should be handed over to the phoney justice of the US at whim EVER. General Musharraf was wrong there as he had a superficial westernised upbringing and is not well versed in Islamic values. On the contrary watch any interview of IK by an Indian compere or journalist on Indian soil and he completely plays into their hands by airing his dirty laundry in public in enemy land, by his regular tirades of vituperative abuse against any Pakistani politician without a scintilla of evidence, mostly being illusions of grandeur about himself or false accusations against others, Pak persons or institutions. He displays not a shred of patriotism and knowing how much India lies and colludes with Israel in Kashmir and even the Airport incident, pointedly misses all the opportunity to highlight the evils of the Indian mean machine and tentacles arising from immense jealousy of Pakistan. Don't forget this was the country which repeatedly refused to give us supply soon after independence and to this day they refuse to extend good neighbourliness on any level. How many Bangladeshis do I meet here in Sydney who wail and cry at the severing of Bangladesh from Pakistan. The minute they meet me and know I am from Pakistan, they apologise profusely and express extreme hostility to India for separating them forcibly from Pakistan. So to cap, Gen Musharraf has his faults but is a shining beacon of patriotism when in India and conducts himself with extreme dignity in India unlike the cricket playboy of yesteryear who is a huge embarrassment even on those rare occasions when he keeps his mouth shut.
We should hide our beloved and brave Commando at a safe place before start of an operation against terrorists. As there is no such place in Pakistan, therefore we should send him abroad as soon as possible.
@ALI: Are you serious, oh that great news to all of us.
God bless you Sir and hats off to Farogh Naseem for fighting against this injustice against Mr. Musharraf...I wish you come back strong and lead this country to glory! our nation has been raped by our politicians so we need a sincere person like you to take charge of this country!
Although it is a bad decision but we should respect it and uphold the law. Talking about upholding the law of the land, it is of utmost importance that Musharraf face the law and does not run away for good. Those in power who willfully violate the constitution and laws of the land should stand trial and let it be a precedence for other Bonaparte waiting in the wings to over throw an elected government regardless which political party is running the country. It seems the current government has succumbed to the Army and may be it is beginning of the end for justice being done to the country, don't complain when the same scenario is being repeated just like Egypt and guess who was behind that episode. Who needs friends like Pakistan has currently, who are interfering too much in the internal affairs of Pakistan and the ruling class let them do it.
All dictators have given developments to this nation except for democracy.
We don't need democracy system.
Making India as your first destination might not be a bad idea. Indian media will have gala time interviewing you. May be you present your Kashmir solution to Modi. Who knows both of you might click with each other after all both of you are the men of action. Visit to Nahar wali Haweli will be an added bonus.
Any other country the people would take to the streets in protest -- but not in Pakistan. And you wonder why the rest of the World thinks your judicial system is corrupt/pathetic and ranks Pakistan lower than N Korea?
well done Musharraf,we are sorry for giving you so much pain and tension.God bless you ,the time will come when the nation will remember you and realize your efforts.you are intelligent but the bad luck had prevailed on you and this is a big test from Allah,But in future ,pl do not be very proud and always be humiliated servant of Allah and always do good to everybody who come in contact ,Stay blessed and protected.
we have no electricity.water , fuel and gas education and health care .....BUT WE HAVE DEMCORACY...biggest joke..!!!
@ALI: you make me laugh...!!!
@Rabia:
I hope he comes back..PPL like you can enjoy Load shedding and Democracy... Regards
@antanu: Where you been? It is been long time I read any comment written by you. You are true patriotic Pakistani who defend it in all its negativity. ET pls publish this so he can read.
He kicked off the Iftikhar Chawdri, now time proves he did a right job, he kicked out Nawaz , time as proved is in process of the same again, 100% what has been don is proven right.. what else you fulish nation needs to know..please to ABC of Albakistan Again.. Wish you best of luck General. see you soon in the driving seat of this National
@shahzad khaliq:
Democracy is not a God made law....the country needs to run and progress. I dont care even if a dog can do it...Our politicians have failed us on every step... You can enjoy your Democracy at the cost of economy and security...!!!!
Salam Sir, its good news.
Its not two weeks. Its exactly 15 days that they have suspended the order. And congrats to sir musharraf.
General, if you are allowed to fly away despite having done so much wrong to the people of Pakistan, do the people one favour atleast, take with you the current Prime Minister of Pakistan who promised peace but does not have the clue to realise it either.
Rex Minor
Thanks to MQM and Farooge Naseem for supporting Musharraf as they know Pakistan comes first!
@dilawar: Some people never miss the opportunity of exposing their inner dity personality. Thank you.
God bless him. we hope to see him leading Pakistan again.
Good News! We are really Sorry for such of treatment from our side. No doubt you have done a lot good for Pakistan, mistakes happens, we are human. But your category is much more than a normal good citizen of Pakistan.
You are the best leader Pakistan has ever have. I have seen your speeches and feel really proud to be Pakistani and has such a leader who can confront any dragging allegations, present mind and intelligent, took our GDP at the highest in the history and much more..
Pakistan Zindabad!
All the commentators opposing the judgement are not pakistanis. ..and have fake names.
Well our leaders are controversial we have no electricity.water , fuel and gas education and health care research as well ability.
Who won N league or army?
I was never convinced that law is for the powerful as well for our part of the world. Goodbye Musharraf and our hope for a country to be ruled by law.
As expected. PM don't want to ruin his progress this time He just did the needful. Go away Mr. Dictator we don't need you.
Say All is well....All is well.
When politics trumps justice.......its never a good sign.
Run and run fast
Musharraf is the best leader Pakistan ever had. Fake government and fake cases against Musharraf have no feet. Long live Pakistan long and live our legendary hero. Time has proved that Musharraf was right in all his decisions
Musharraf is the biggest enemy of Pakistan. Country is still suffering due to his worst policies.
Hope they over turn this ruling,a coward like you shall never come back to face the justice he so truly deserves. Shame on sindh high court
This man should be punished for all his evil deeds. I can never forget May 12, 2007 when when killings were done in Karachi on the orders of Musharraf.
Hallelujah!
Finally, it is so nice to read a positive news after so much doom and gloom. We sincerely wish our great Leader all the very Best and wish him best of health!
Let the Commando Run....Run....RUN...
I see sheikh's getting ready to greet musharraf at dubai airport.
@Critical thinker....!!!: Geo got banned...Mush being released...
"Every country has an army , but Pakistan is a country where army has a country" This axiom now nicely fits current situation
At last just is done though quite late .....
God bless you Gen Musharraf. Stay safe.
Its time to run!!! Run, Run, Run to the old Masters!
Politicians are innocent hence proved in this case. constitution, laws, rules and regulation are for deprived people like you and we. Even in minor case, poor people remain behind bars for several years. politicians and millionaires knows the way out of the situation.
Congratulations sir.
We the true patriots of Pakistan sincerely apologise for the way this nation treated you.
Whatever you did to save Pakistan is all proving to be correct. May the almighty protect you always sir.
Good News!
Justice should be done but selective justice will be a big mistake which will haunt the government and judiciary through history. Irrespective of our love or hate for him, he should be given justice but at this point we feel, he is singled out. Let him go to his mother and i'm sure he will come back when ever summoned.
Good luck with your future endeavors, Mr. Dictator.
Dear Sir,
sorry tht you got treated in such a way in a country which you kept together in your tenure. Today wht ever you said is coming true: 1) Geo got banned. The whole world saw its notorious behavior 2) Lal Masjid terrorists are controlling TTP faction and endangering every Pakistani on the street 3) US has turned Pakistan into stone age 4) Our streets, our Airport, nothing is safe any more...
May Allah bless you and open eyes of this currupt and unthankful nation....Regards
Congrats...Great news!