SC disposes of Musharraf treason petitions, directs govt to continue course

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday disposed of the petitions calling for the registration of a treason case against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf and directed the government to continue approaching the matter in light of its official statement presented to the court.

The government had in its statement said that it would proceed in accordance with the law and prosecute Musharraf for treason — after taking the political forces into confidence.

Attorney General Munir A. Malik informed the three-member bench hearing the case that as per the court’s earlier order to investigate Musharraf under Article 6 of the Constitution, the government had set up a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) committee to probe the treason case against the retired general.

On Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja’s inquiry, Malik said he had no knowledge of any progress on the establishment of a special court to hear a treason case against Musharraf, adding that only the outcome of the investigation against the former president would determine the charges that may be levelled against him.

Justice Khawaja remarked that all eyes were now on the federal government and the steps it would undertake to bring Musharraf to justice. He added that it was to be seen whether four or 483 people would be included in the investigation.

Later, the bench disposed of the petitions calling for the registration of the treason case against Musharraf and directed the government to continue its ongoing investigation on the matter.

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Cobrajock

Jul 03, 2013 11:39am

What part of the constitution empowers the supreme court to order registration of a case for treason under article 6; or for that matter direct the government to file one? Is it Badliya at its best again.

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Zain

Jul 03, 2013 11:55am

While Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) committee investigation against the former president would determine the charges against him. President Mushrraf should be given the freedom to get in to the politic and work towards his growth of his political party. Rumors are that Altaf Hussain is on his last leg of politic and sooner he will be out from Pakistan politic. President Musharraf will take over the reins of MQM.

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Muhammad Yousuf Zond

Jul 03, 2013 12:34pm

We (public) never accept the biased attitude of government to apply article 6 against General Musharraf. We request the judiciary to start the proceeding starting from Field Martial Ayub Khan and not only the generals should be punished but also the supporters and beneficiaries should also be counted under article 6. If the government and the judiciary only decide against Musharraf it would be considered judicial terrorism and personal revenge. I hope that all beneficiaries including generals, judiciary, politicians and baboos shall be investigated by the FIA. I hope that federal government will also direct the FIA to start investigation regarding Asghar Khan's case.

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S.R.K Ahmed

Jul 03, 2013 12:59pm

After reviewing Justice Khawaja remarks, it looks SC is more interested in this case than Government.

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msalvi

Jul 03, 2013 02:01pm

It seems that the SC has become a party in the cases against Musharraf. They clearly want Musharraf to be prosecuted and convicted. If SC continues to behave like this, it is going to lose the trust of the people. If that happens, there will be nothing left to trust. Those are the circumstances under which martial laws are imposed.

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Syed Ahmed

Jul 03, 2013 06:37pm

What a colossal waste of Tax Payer

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omer

Jul 03, 2013 06:49pm

The SC has violated the constitution of Pakistan by making a mockery of the constitution again. They are supposed to act as judges and not as free will supermen with the authority of executive, judiciary and legislature. some thing from this article 6 that i found circulating around. and I quote Procedure as defined in the constitution of IRP 1973 3. No Court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under this act except upon a complaint in writing made by a person authorised by the Federal Government in this behalf. The case is said and done. this is a Banana republic with no strings attached to any thing.

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muzammil ullah khan

Jul 03, 2013 07:55pm

Justice Khwaja has already written his "historic" judgement aided and abetted by the VERY "honorable" Chief Justice ! It is a sham trial . Was it not the current CJP who had validated the take over by Musharraf as a judge of the Supreme Court . This is pure and simple witch hunting and vendetta .

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Murtaza Askari

Jul 03, 2013 09:24pm

@Cobrajock: I like the badliya thing... nice term...

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Tahir

Jul 03, 2013 10:09pm

Unfortunately, supreme court is biased and Govt is determined to take revenge. At the same time, govt wants to keep all its allies safe from this treason. How is it possible? Why Govt and supreme court both are reluctant to start treason charges from 12 October 1999? Reason is that honorable judges and half of the parliamentarians (which are part of PML N now) will come under the net of article 6 (2). Sooner or later, there will be a dramatic occurrence and Mushraff will come out unharmed and at the same time, govt will also meet its fate (God forbid).

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M H Syed

Jul 04, 2013 02:00am

I think ex-president Musharraf is the only decent and honest ruler that Pakistan had in many years. The economic progress and the prestige which Pakistan enjoyed during his leadership cannot be forgotten. $ was Rs60 . He invited the politicians to work together for Pakistan in the vain hope that it may help control the terrorism, but instead of joining hands and working for Pakistan they all went for their own selfish agenda. Now we know that no one has any magic control over the terrorists. Even now we must try a joint effort rather than try to exclude Mr Musharraf. That is the only sensible way forward.

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ahmad

Jul 04, 2013 02:43am

@Muhammad Yousuf Zond: In addition to the Md.Yousuf comment I want to point out few things for readers information. Musharraf getting blamed that after 9/11 attack on one phone call musharraf bent down to the American govt. And accepted what they said In my opinion he did the wise thing to save Pakistan , I give you example of 2nd world war general Charles d'egaul of France ordered their troop and army not to resist when German attacks on Paris , d'gaul wanted to save Paris from getting destroyed and he did, he let Germany tools enter in the city without any resistance. And he was successful. Very similarly musharraf did the same thing to save Pakistan, but unfortunetally it took to wrong direction due to miss management 2. American govt. Has threatened to Musharraf that if he is not with him then he will punished and bring to age of stone to Pakistan . Considering This musharraf was right again . On Bugti and lalmusjid and benazir case he was not involve directly. Current govt. And supreme court taking revenge. My God save Pakistan and musharraf , he is the true honest leader who has vision for Pakistan so he says.......PAHLE PAKISTAN

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krishna prasad

Jul 04, 2013 04:14am

It is the Government - here it is Parliament and its parties prerogative to decide as to due process of registering a treason case and holding further investigation with a committee decided by all parties - in order to investigate, gather, analyse and decide as to what should be the consequences of such a high-handed behaviour from a sole individual in high moral authority. SC has not shown any aversion is precisely because it has no right to interfere with its own people who would decide what is good for your country. Also, it has not given any preference as to who is right. It should be ultimately proved in the law that the ex-army chief truly abrogated country's constitution to his personal advantage.

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Basheer Lahori

Jul 04, 2013 06:14am

Though apparently the Supreme Court has asked Government to proceed with treason case against Mr Musharaf, but the statement the government has submitted in the court is clearly conditional "after taking the political forces into confidence". One wonders how the court has accepted this conditional statement when reportedly initially one of the learned Judge remarked that the stance of the care taker government was better than this. Obviously political forces have been made already divided including PPP and Tahreek Insaf. Moreover, the AG reportedly submitted to the court that "only the outcome of the investigation (by FIA) against the former president would determine the charges that may be levelled against him". Thirdly, the Government have not yet established the court, the one of prerequisite for the process to be completed. As such it seems very difficult that the treason case Mr Musharaf would be initiated in the court. The apparent steps by the Government are an eye wash.

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