Supreme Court summons Musharraf in high treason proceedings

The Supreme Court has summoned former Pakistani President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf to appear on Tuesday in proceedings of high treason charges against him, court officials said Monday.

Five petitions, seeking high treason proceedings against Musharraf, had been filed in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, and the apex court has now issued notices to Pervez Musharraf for his personal appearance.

The court is now hearing arguments if high treason proceedings could be initiated against the former President.

The Islamabad Police Chief was asked to serve notice on the former Pakistani President and ensure that he appear before a two-member bench.

Earlier the petitioners requested the court to issue detention order of Pervez Musharraf so he could not go abroad in view of the possible trial. However the court did not entertain the request.

The two-member bench also asked ordered the Interior Ministry to put Musharraf’s name on the Exit Control List so he could not go abroad. The Secretary Interior was asked to present a report about ban on Musharraf from leaving abroad.

A petitioner, Taufeeq Asid advocate, said that the petition has been filed to set an example that no one could abrogate the constitution in the future.

The court said that all state institutions will ensure that Mushrraf stay in the country and could not go abroad unless the court deliver verdict.

The two-member bench – comprising Justice Jawwad S Khawja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain – will resume hearing on Tuesday and will listen to Musharraf about the charges against him.

The petitioner requested the court to direct the federal government to prosecute Musharraf under the High Treason Act 1973 for suspending the Constitution and imposing emergency rule in 2007.

The court also issued notices to the federation to clarify its position on the petitions as the constitution say that the government can initiate high treason charges against anyone.

Musharraf is also facing other legal cases, including the 2006 killing of Baloch tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti and the 2007 assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto.

He had dismissed the elected government of Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup and imposed military rule in October 1999.

Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan 1999-2008, denied all charges and said he will defend himself in courts. He had resigned in August 2008 to avoid impeachment by the parliament and then went into exile.

He returned to Pakistan last month after over four-and-half year self exile in Britain and the UAE. He is now taking part in the parliamentary elections and also plan campaign for his All Pakistan Muslim League party.

What Pakistan’s article 6 of the constitution says about High treason:

1[(1)     Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance, the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.]

(2) Any person aiding or abetting 2[or collaborating] the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason.

3[(2A) An act of high treason mentioned in clause (1) or clause (2) shall not be validated by any court including the Supreme Court and a High Court.]

(3) 4[Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)] shall by law provide for the punishment of persons found guilty of high treason.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Apr 8 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.