Musharraf appears in court for treason case; not indicted

Dawn.com Published February 18, 2014

ISLAMABAD: The special court constituted in the federal capital to try former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Mushharaf for treason charges adjourned its hearing until Feb 21, after the former president appeared in court for today's hearing, DawnNews reported.

A three-member special court, headed by Justice Faisal Arab, heard the case against the former president.

The court did not indict the former president during today's hearing, following which Musharraf returned to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) where he was admitted for heart trouble on Jan 3.

Earlier, Musharraf’s counsel Anwar Mansoor had assured the court that the ex-army strongman would make an appearance today.

The special court had also reserved its ruling on a decision to conduct the trial of the ex-army strongman in a military court.

Meanwhile, security was tightened up on the former president's route from the AFIC to the court.

Moreover, helicopters were providing air cover as part of the security arrangements for the former military strongman.

Earlier on Feb 7, the special court trying the ex-army strongman had ordered him to appear today.

The 70-year-old is facing treason charges, which can carry the death penalty, over his imposition of a state of emergency in 2007 while he was president.

The former general has been in a military hospital since falling ill with heart trouble while travelling to court on Jan 2.

Pakistan

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SAB

Feb 18, 2014 12:24pm

Our nation needs to convict real traitors. Not this one atleast.

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abdullah yusuf

Feb 18, 2014 05:57pm

Heading towards the ultimate pullout.

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muhammad

Feb 18, 2014 06:19pm

he should be charged with selling Pakistani nationals to USA, fabricating reality and if possible should be made to tell the truth about missing people and selling people like Dr. Aafia and others, to the US. We all know he won't get sentenced and will evade trial like always. I think he should be stripped of Pakistani Nationality and not allowed into Pakistan.

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mohammad shafique

Feb 18, 2014 08:05pm

the court should have indicted him

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Anwar Maqsood

Feb 18, 2014 10:02pm

I am mystified how Musharraf-apologists are clapping heavens upon the Dictaors appearance in Court after absconding from 22 hearings and hiding in AFIC on taxpayer's money for 47 days (a world record for a "heart" patient staying in public hospital). Sell his London's luxury apartment or Chak Shehzad palace to recover the cost of his free stay in hospital and enjoying heavy security at Taxpayers expense.

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Irfan Butt

Feb 18, 2014 10:24pm

Can we please stop calling him Ex-Army "Strongman", and call him what he really was - an Ex-Army "Dictator".

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FAisal baloch

Feb 18, 2014 11:08pm

what a sad situation. all the corrupts are outside and the most decent of them all, is facing charges. Why no one is taking Nawaz to court for hijacking a PIA Passenger plane??

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bkh

Feb 19, 2014 12:06am

Pakistan is in state of social war between the religious fundamentalists and the intelligent thinking sector of the society. As if it was not enough, the government decided to make the social conflict more murky by further fragmentation of the society in pro/against Musharraf segments

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Raschid

Feb 19, 2014 04:34am

People have no health or education in the country but there is enough money for the government to spend millions by providing air cover and extraordinary security for a trial which will probably not come a decision and will end up in Musharraf going into exile. Same tactics over and over again in every government, when will we all learn and when will the people realize the farce.

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MSA

Feb 19, 2014 06:18am

The court is being careful, which is a good sign.

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rizwan

Feb 19, 2014 11:12pm

God Bless You. Mashraff Sabb. We all know who the real traitors are . We see them everyday on television. We are with you Mashraff.

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fazal

Feb 20, 2014 01:07am

@MSA : because they have no jurisdiction on this case.

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sja

Feb 20, 2014 09:53am

The people showed support to the ex President which must have uplifted his spirits to see people siding effect, and that would improve his health positively. The lead lawyer Qasuri was more scared about his coming to the court. Someone, in the crowd was singing """ Ghar aya mera pardesi,------- meray ankhian ki""". This is a healthy start for Pakistan.

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sja

Feb 20, 2014 09:57am

@Anwar Maqsood: Donot hurry to judgment Anwar. The law has its own course and the penalties are determined when the case is adjudicated.

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deendayal lulla

Feb 20, 2014 12:17pm

Nothing will come out of this case. Why the government is after Musharraf,just because he overthrew Nawaz Shariff?

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Asif Muhammad

Feb 20, 2014 08:06pm

The new court should try Iftikhar, Nawaz and Zardari for the looting and siding with terrorists. Nawz shareef should be punished for all his sins with judge Iftikhar.

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ahsan syed

Feb 20, 2014 08:42pm

solve the people issues according to your menifesto.....Perves Musharaf ko pakistanioo ki full support hi

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Sahar

Feb 21, 2014 12:50am

@deendayal lulla: Musharraf did not overthrow Nawaz. It was Nawaz who overthrew himself due to his wrong decisions.

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memon

Feb 21, 2014 12:52am

No comparison between Musharraf and the corrupt politicians.