BHC rejects Musharraf’s plea to transfer Bugti murder case

QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court on Saturday dismissed a petition by former military dictator Pervez Musharraf for his trial over the death of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti to be transferred due to security fears.

The retired general was head of state in 2006 when Bugti died in a military operation, and is facing murder charges in the high profile case being heard by an anti-terrorism court in Quetta. The court had ordered authorities to produce Musharraf before it in the next hearing, scheduled for Sept 10.

Musharraf's lawyers on Saturday asked the Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court to shift his trial over the Baloch leader's death to Rawalpindi, twin city of the federal capital Islamabad, in Punjab province.

“The court has dismissed our petition saying it is not maintainable,” said Ilyas Siddiqui, a lawyer who represented Musharraf in the court in Quetta.

“We had requested that Musharraf has serious security threats in Balochistan so his case be shifted from the province but the judge did not agree,” Siddiqui said.

Musharraf, who returned to Pakistan from four years of self-imposed exile in March, has been under house arrest at his villa on the edge of Islamabad since April 19. He is also facing charges in other cases, including the 2007 murder of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Earlier, the Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court allowed the provincial government to withdraw a similar petition.

The interim government set up in the province to conduct general elections on May 11 had filed a request in the court for the case to be transferred for security reasons.

However, the newly elected provincial government, which took power in June, withdrew the application and informed the court that they could provide security to Musharraf.

Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was killed in a cave on August 26, 2006 during a military crackdown allegedly ordered by Musharraf who was president and army chief at the time. Bugti had led a campaign to press for provincial autonomy and a greater share of profits from Balochistan’s natural resources.

The death of the Baloch chieftain had sparked angry protests throughout the country.

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Comments (13) Closed

Gul

Aug 24, 2013 05:28pm

Pakistani Judicial system is making a mockery out of itself by pursuing these politically motivated cases against a former President who represented Pakistan Internationally and was recognized as Pakistan's President in the World.

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sabeeh omer

Aug 24, 2013 06:43pm

Where has Musharraf's arrogance gone? I remember distinctly the pride and arrogance he demonstrated when he was the so called President of Pakistan? His remarks that a bullet would come from nowhere and pin down Bugti are still fresh in many a mind. His threat to the Chief justice of Pakistan (with the support of a political party) when the former tried in vain to visit Karachi on May 12th 2007 are memories not far off. Musharraf's rhetoric that he is afraid of no one should now prove that he meant what he said. Musharraf deserves no sympathy. He is an usurper who trampled the constitution. He handed over many an innocent muslim to the US on the pretext of being a member of Al Qaeda. He served the western cause more than he did service to Islam. Let him reap what he sowed!

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Syed Shan Abidi

Aug 24, 2013 07:32pm

BHC decision clearly shows the character assassination and political victimization towards PM.

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Mustafa

Aug 24, 2013 08:12pm

Musharraf should appeal the decision to Supreme Court of Pakistan.

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Yaasir

Aug 24, 2013 08:28pm

Judicial terrorism at its best. It's a shame that judges can get away with anything these days. Musharraf should be tried but it's also a fact that he faces very serious security threats. But then again, it's the same courts that are yet to convict and sentence any terrorist.

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gangadin

Aug 24, 2013 08:36pm

What threats is he talking about? In his own words, he is a soldier and has returned to Pakistan to face his fate, so what is he afraid of? Go to Quetta and face the music. Bhugti family deserves justice.

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mohammad

Aug 24, 2013 09:51pm

A FAIR TRIAL IN BUGHTI CASE WILL CLEAR ALL DOUBTS. BUT IN ALL OTHER CASES MUSHARAF NEEDS A SYMPATHETIC APPROACH AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE AS A RULER HE LOOKED TO BE MORE SINCERE THAN MOST OTHERS.

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independentthinker

Aug 25, 2013 12:03am

Doesn't Pervez Musharraf and his legal team know that we are talking about Pakistan - where the new Prime Minister is the same man, who Musharraf overthrew. I am sure the courts have direct orders from the prime minister not to entertain any requests. This is how the justice system works in Pakistan. I remember Zia ul Haq and Bhutto - except here the civilian ruler has a upper hand over a military man.

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Em Moosa

Aug 25, 2013 01:12am

Ask bottom of your heart who the Bugti was? A biggest nuisance for the nation since the days of Ayub khan, most greedy sardar and a cruel man who could not even make justice to his own servants and people in his life. Although his end was due to his own arrogance and several military brass were also killed some people using his death for their ugly politics and as the judicial system of today has personal grudge with Musharraf they want to tease him despite knowing well that Musharraf is not responsible for the death of that cruel sardar.

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fida sayani

Aug 25, 2013 01:35am

Musharaf should be tried in Baluchistan for Bugti murder.

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Irfan Rasool

Aug 25, 2013 03:30am

I am disgusted that the only honest man in charge of Pakistan during an extremely turbulent period is being persecuted by political opponents who want him hung out to dry. Investigate Zardari to see what assets he holds via nominees and webs of companies based in off-shore territories who will not open up to scrutiny. Do the same with "Mian Sahib" and his brother, and again with the new governor of Punjab, the discredited Sarwar, whose UK election as MP was riddled with corruption, so here we have Ali Baba and his thieves who are bleeding out whatever life is left in their pathetic country.

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mazharuddin

Aug 25, 2013 12:59pm

For Bugti case it need to investigate the activities of Mr. Bugti whether he was not involved in anti state activities? Also need to check whether Ex President had personal grudge with Bugti? What was the reason? Was it in the interest of State or not? Ex President unnecessarily should not be implicated in this case. I hope Chief justice will see the matter in its true perspective. Ex President should not be humiliated. It would be better not to disturb him calling in Baluchistan. Why is it necessary to have his presence in Baluchistan?

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Zain

Aug 26, 2013 12:38am

It is all sheer lies that Bugti death sparked angry protests throughout the country. Matter of fact whole country including people of Baluchistan were relieved except Bugti tribe who were keeping whole country hostage.

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