LAHORE: A writ petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court seeking criminal proceedings against former president Pervez Musharraf for allegedly ridiculing judiciary by saying that then army chief Raheel Sharif helped him out in his safe exit from the country and complimented him for his efforts.

Nadeem Butt, a lawyer, filed the petition through Advocate Rana Asadullah Khan pleading that the former president in a television programme repeatedly claimed that the then army chief managed things for him against proceedings under treason charges and secured a safe exit.

The petitioner states Musharraf candidly claimed that he was saved by influencing the courts and said it was quite unfortunate [that] the judiciary was not independent in the country.

He says the former president in his interview also hoped that the judiciary might start doing justice as behind the scene they (courts) work under pressure.

The petitioner asks the court to direct the federal law ministry to initiate an inquiry against Musharraf for scandalising and ridiculing the institution of judiciary and also order Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to take action against the news channel for showing derogatory programme against the judiciary.

The petitioner also asks the court to direct the federal government to file a reference with election commission against All Pakistan Muslim League, a political party of Musharraf, for violating Political Parties Order, 2002 by working against the integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2017