Court rejects Musharraf's application for treatment abroad

Dawn.com AFP Published January 31, 2014

ISLAMABAD: A special court constituted to try former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf for high treason charges has rejected his application seeking permission for medical treatment outside Pakistan and has summoned him on Feb 7, DawnNews reported.

The 70-year-old is facing treason charges over his imposition of a state of emergency in 2007 while he was president.

Musharraf has been in a military hospital since falling ill with heart trouble while travelling to the special treason tribunal on Jan 2 and his lawyers had argued he needed specialist treatment abroad.

The former general's name is on the official “exit control list”, meaning he cannot leave Pakistan.

Earlier today, a three-member special court, headed by Justice Faisal Arab, had reserved its decision on the medical report of the former president.

While announcing its decision, the court also issued a bailable arrest warrant against the ex-army strongman. The bail bond was fixed at Rs 2.5 million.

Reading out its decision, the court said Musharraf's medical report submitted by doctors did not state anywhere that he could not appear before it, adding that there was no choice but to issue a bailable arrest warrant against him.

The court rejected Musharraf's application seeking consent for medical treatment overseas and ruled that his application was inadmissible.

“It is not in the jurisdiction of this court to allow him to go abroad for treatment, because his name is on the exit control list,” the order read by a court official said.

It, however, said there would be no restriction on the former president's movement, but warned that if he failed to appear before the court in its next hearing, then a non-bailable arrest warrant would be issued against him.

The court moreover ordered the Inspector General (IG) of Islamabad to ensure that Musharraf complied with the warrant against him and guarantee his appearance in its next hearing.

It ordered Musharraf's production on Feb 7 and subsequently adjourned the hearing to the said date.

Pakistan

Musharraf treason case: Court rejects adjournment plea

Musharraf treason case adjourned until tomorrow

CipHer

Jan 31, 2014 04:00pm

Go Musaraf Go..

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Imran Ahmed

Jan 31, 2014 05:34pm

Does this verdict stand the test against fundamental rights and due process?

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Last Word

Jan 31, 2014 06:02pm

A bold decision by the Pak court which proves that judiciary is free in Pakistan, who is not influenced or intimidated by the powerful establishment.

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AZMAT KHAN

Jan 31, 2014 06:12pm

Very good decision.

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mohammad shafique

Jan 31, 2014 07:19pm

@Imran Ahmed: yes it does

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Faisal

Jan 31, 2014 07:19pm

OOOh. Now this has become real trial of Army Patience, Musharaf Heart, Govt Smile, Judiciory Honour and rights of every pakistani

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S Chaudhury

Jan 31, 2014 08:17pm

This proves the courts are bios & incapable of providing justice to honest. Corrupt politicians are able to bleed Pakistan economy to its death, Took money overseas & can go abroad for medical treatments. Shame on these courts that help these criminals & helping to destroy the country

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Lahori

Jan 31, 2014 08:44pm

Justice for people in power only. What about those not in power and ordinary people of our country?

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max

Jan 31, 2014 08:51pm

@Last Word: So wat ? How si that going to help Pakistan ?

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Shah

Jan 31, 2014 08:51pm

Musharaf is easy target. What about killers and terrorists who are on on killing spree and courts do nothing????

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Ahmed

Jan 31, 2014 08:59pm

The Govt. & the Judiciary will be considered biased as long as Gen. Musharraf alone is tried for Emergency. Bigger bias would be that ' 99 Coup is skipped and abettors like Ex CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry go scot free and provided security with bullet proof car at public expense. Shame.

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Ijaz Iqbal

Jan 31, 2014 09:16pm

These judges are right wing fanatics who are trying to change the country's dynamics by their actions and backward mind set.

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Dr Aisha

Jan 31, 2014 09:29pm

Justice Arab judge with justice as power does not make you ajami or superior. Your name maybe ARAB but Arabis will never consider you Arab, you are "fil pakistani"

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Dawood

Jan 31, 2014 09:32pm

Selective justice? Where are those who were with Musharraf? Where are those who looted Pakistan? Where are those who committed murders?

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Hasnain Haque

Jan 31, 2014 09:58pm

@Last Word: Really what about all the ministers and other politicians who are free enjoying their loots, what about all those who have been involved in murders, extra judicial killings and corruption. Get real my friend.

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Hasnain Haque

Jan 31, 2014 09:59pm

@AZMAT KHAN: Tell me what is good about it, this is a vendetta at the expense of the nation. What will be achieved, will the country prosper?

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Absar

Jan 31, 2014 11:33pm

Another unfortunate decision of courts that is proving that people sitting on benches are vindictive. Instead of following true impartiality and giver of justice, they are acting as a party to the case. Another evidence that judiciary can get corrupted equally as others, if they get powers and influence. On what legal basis, Musharraf was barred for life by Peshawar High Court from taking part in elections, when even drug traffickers and gangsters are not barred from running in elections? Similarly, this verdict. *If due process had been followed when president Musharraf referred the case of Chief Justice Ifikhar Chaudhry to Supreme Judicial Council, then we would not have to see this day. Instead of decision of Supreme Judicial Council, case was decided on the streets. It is unfortunate.*

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Burki

Jan 31, 2014 11:56pm

@Imran Ahmed: what fundemental rights? is the court stopping him from seeking medical treatment? Absolutely NOT. Pakistan has some of the best in class medical facilities and he's free to get treatment anywhere in the country. Court is only stopping him from slipping abroad under the guise of seeking medical aid - a very old tactic of all corrupt Pak politicians when being on the receiving end of justice.

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Mustafa

Feb 01, 2014 12:21am

@Imran Ahmed: The medical reports don't forbid him to go to the courts. Therefore facing courts is not against fundamental rights. In fact faking ouchies to stay away from courts is against fundamental rights. Can an ordinary Pakistani baffle the courts the way this powerful man is doing?

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Feb 01, 2014 12:46am

@Last Word: Are you kidding me? Judges are being paid a hefty sum by politicians to rule against him.

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Abid mohiuddin

Feb 01, 2014 12:50am

@Imran Ahmed: Very ridiculous decision The court says it is not in his jurisdiction the government says it is in court so what Musharraf will do I think the military should come forward and settle the score once for all before it gives rise tomorrow polarization in the society

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Marghoob Ahmed Siddiqui

Feb 01, 2014 12:50am

@AZMAT KHAN: This shows your prejudice against him. If he is to be treated outside Pakistan what objection could some one has? All the judges and Judiciary of Pakistan seem to be partial and are trying to take revenge from him. What wrong he has done? Was it proper to hijack his plane and try to murder him by Nawaz? Shame on people who praise such actions by prejudiced judiciary.

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Farhan

Feb 01, 2014 01:57am

Perverz Mushraff is great leader. who stands against all odds. I salute him for fighting against all corrupt politicians and system.Time will prove that what he did was in favor of Pakistan. May Allah protect him and Pakistan. Ameen

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latif.ahmad@ntlworld.com

Feb 01, 2014 02:42am

God made pakitan. people are their own worse enemies. God does not help those nations who donot help themselves. latif ahmad

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concerned

Feb 01, 2014 04:56am

What about the other chors.. Zardari, ,Raja,and Jeelani...all are scot free. Musharraf did not steal the nations coffers nor are any such charges against him. Shareef is in apparent cohoots with the above big 3..Just see photos of yesterday coal project opening.. Judiciary , Justice be applied to all. Not biased against Musharraf

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Asad

Feb 01, 2014 05:52am

What a shameful and miserable leaders of our country. Let's assume his request for getting the treatment abroad is genuine and is not just a way of running away from this treason case. Even then can this general answer why he couldn't at least make the army's hospitals to a standard where he could be treated. He was in charge of the army and the country for 10 years! when billion of dollars were coming in ... were they only used on DHAs and Askaris? If commoner's only choice, if he/she can afford, is hospitals within Pakistan, then we must ensure that people like Musharraf also go to these hospitals, which they could improve in their tenure.

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Mustafa

Feb 01, 2014 07:03am

Are these judges qualified as per articles 62 and 63 of the constitution, i.e. Sadiq and Ameen?

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Tamza

Feb 01, 2014 07:38am

@Imran Ahmed: Not clear what you mean. BUT it is clear that just because he has powerful pirzada attorney he doesn't get to sneak out of the country in the dark of night.

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K.A.Muhammad

Feb 01, 2014 07:43am

@Imran Ahmed: Fundamental rights of an individual or the Nation as a whole? Did not the Judges have the same fundamental rights before and after the action taken against them?

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Raza Hyder

Feb 01, 2014 07:46am

@ Imran Ahmed Seeking medical treatment abroad is not a "fundamental right". If it was, then everyone sitting in Pakistani jails (both pre and post conviction) should be allowed to go abroad for treatment.

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G.M

Feb 01, 2014 07:57am

Why Mr Musharaf understands that Pakistan is inadequate for his medical treatment. People he ruled for almost a decade, and of whom he claims to be the leader, get themselves treated in Pakistan. By getting treated here, he should give the proof for patriotism and his so-called love for the people, even he has to face the tough trial. He should not pretend for treatment abroad just to escape justice.

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M. Johri ---canada

Feb 01, 2014 09:02am

@AZMAT KHAN: Very unfair decision. General Musharraf is a brave soldier of Pakistan. Don't forget Musharraf was commander in chief of over million army ,even BNZ said once Gen. Musharraf is a brave man .Shame on all those Pakistani who are at this time are kicking him around . Lord's rod does not make noise when it comes. In country like Pakistan table can turn around any time.

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ishtiaq ullah

Feb 01, 2014 10:36am

A.o.a, in my opinion,public is well judge, PERVES MUSHARRAF we all are with you wid full support,becos your contribution for Pk r so much higher than our dreams ,you are doing much good yet,i am happy that Chaudhry Shujhaat and ILTAF bhai are fully supporting you and your wellwishers,so dont worry ,we will get the justice inshaAllah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!......yeah....you are still the president of pakistan for whom who care this beautufull homeland,bundle of prays,wishes, and ......GOOD LUCK!!!!Allah bless you!!!!

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sn.bokhari@yahoo.com

Feb 01, 2014 02:50pm

No politician will stop looting the country unless he knows that the honeymoon period of the leaders is over in Pakistan now. In the past 66 years no leader/General has been punished despite all the atrocities committed by him. So, if we have to put our country on the path of stability and perpetual progress, we must punish the criminals, right from the President to any other dignitary from Executive, Parliament, Judiciary, Army or Media. Everybody MUST reap whatever he sows.

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Sami

Feb 02, 2014 07:22am

Every Pakistani will get justice now.

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rizwan

Feb 02, 2014 09:15am

@Last Word: How can this be a bold decision. It is only a decision to please the leader of the ruling party.

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zohaib

Feb 02, 2014 09:24am

Musharraf is a patriotic soldier of this soil. He fought 3 battles with the enemies of Pakistan. His love and emotions brought him back to the country, not any court or corrupt politician. He came back willingly to face all fake cases and he did.

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kamaluddin

Feb 02, 2014 09:15pm

@sn.bokhari@yahoo.com: Good suggestion, but the question is how. Politicians say no more martial law, but they don't say no more corrupt politician. Should people come on the street because our politicians will not do it.

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wasim

Feb 02, 2014 09:28pm

When will we start punishing political rulers for corruptions and murders? They will never leave us until we come up with a plan to remove corrupt ones.

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jehangir

Feb 03, 2014 02:59am

Our country has become a private company of Nawaz Sharif and relatives.

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Ms. Aryafar

Feb 03, 2014 10:11pm

Why Pakistani citizens are sleeping, why they are not coming out on the street to protest against Nawaz Sharif Government. He is just using his power to take personal revenge.

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