Musharraf a no-show at Supreme Court, lawyer asks for more time

E-Paper | March 11, 2026

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday withdrew its directive allowing former dictator Pervez Musharraf to file nomination papers after he failed to appear for a court hearing today.

Last week, the SC had issued a directive permitting Musharraf to file nomination papers for the July 25 general elections on the condition that he appear in person before the court on June 13 in Lahore to attend a hearing.

The court had said that the former army chief's nomination papers will be received by the returning officer, but would only be considered if Musharraf appeared in person at the SC Lahore registry.

Musharraf had then filed his nomination papers from NA-1 Chitral after the court's directive, but failed to appear in court yesterday.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar then gave the former president until 2pm today to appear in person or face action according to the law.

Musharraf's lawyer Qamar Afzal today pleaded that the former president plans on returning but needs more time to appear before the court owing to the "current situation [in the country]" and Eidul Fitr holidays.

Adjourning the case for an unspecified period of time, the court took back its directive allowing Musharraf to file nomination papers and asked his lawyer to let the court know when he wants the case to be heard next.

A four-member bench of the apex court, headed by the chief justice, was hearing Musharraf's appeal against his 2013 disqualification by the Peshawar High Court.

Earlier in the day, the CJP had asked the deputy attorney general to find out if the former dictator was going to appear in court for the 2pm hearing.

"The Supreme Court is not bound to Musharraf's terms," the CJP had remarked in yesterday's hearing, after the former president's counsel had insisted on blanket guarantees for his security. "We've already said that if Musharraf returns, he will be provided with security. We are not bound to also provide a written guarantee in this regard."

"If he doesn't return, the scrutiny of his nomination papers will not be permitted," Justice Nisar had warned.

Musharraf has not returned to Pakistan since leaving for Dubai in March 2016 on the pretext of medical treatment.

Rana Bilal is a Lahore-based reporter for Dawn News (TV) with over nine years of experience covering legal affairs, justice-sector developments, and environmental issues. He can be found on X at @ranabilaldawn.

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M. Saeed

Jun 14, 2018 01:14pm

Since the supreme court is taking actions and issuing executive orders directly, it is already exceeding its schedule.

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Jun 14, 2018 01:15pm

Pervaz Mushraff was given a chance to defend himself in the court, but he didn't avail the opportunity. So we are back to square one - another leader is in abroad and probably will stay there rest of his life, as he is afraid to face the music!

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Vijay B..

Jun 14, 2018 01:50pm

Musharraf might have gone by the precept that "It is better to be safe than sorry" He might even have thought that this could be a plot to get him back in to Pakistan and then not let him leave again while he is tried for all the cases against him.

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k p rao

Jun 14, 2018 01:52pm

Frightened man who is running from pillar to post fearing for his life. This is what happens to failed politicians of Pakistan. Check up on google search about Pakistan PMs and Presidents right from the time the country came into existence.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jun 14, 2018 02:09pm

The former commando just squandered a golden once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to exoneration himself from all the alleged cases of treason, imprisonment of judges, putting the constitution of the country on the back-burner etc. etc. in a fair, legal, equitable, moral, free and ethical fashion under due process of law and checks and balances.

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Jun 14, 2018 02:46pm

Kudos to the brave general!

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M1 Jamal

Jun 14, 2018 03:35pm

Mr Musharraf is an honest and sincere leader.For him,Pakistan is first.He must return back to Pakistan and face all the allegations.He must clear his name thru our courts and contest the elections.

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Khalyee_Makhlooq

Jun 14, 2018 03:52pm

The purpose of the whole thing was to restore his national ID card and passport. That's it.

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Nomi Goraya

Jun 14, 2018 04:12pm

So purpose served as blockade of CNIC and Passport was the real issue for the dormer dictator to have normal life abroad which are unblocked by the directives of honorable SC. Justice served

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HonorBright

Jun 14, 2018 04:27pm

Those of us who were hard upon CJP for allowing Gen to run for the elections must find the courage to admit our judgemental rashness. Sorry CJ.

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Janib

Jun 14, 2018 04:35pm

Now this is a pre poll rigging. What about Aitzaz ahsan who was fined for not appearing in the case though the SC knew he could not. Seems establishment has reached out to the SC over night

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Abdul Razaque

Jun 14, 2018 05:05pm

It was BB who had returned to country in 2007 despite she had serious threats to her life. Musharraf is not a politician. He is not ready to return despite SC granted big relief to him

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Suhail

Jun 14, 2018 06:39pm

This is an intelligent decision by Musharraf. As much as I dislike him, I would suggest that he stays abroad and continues organizing presentations regarding strategic issues confronting Pakistan and the world. His expertise is in this area and he should focus on supporting Pakistan through this medium.

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Dr Arslan

Jun 14, 2018 07:08pm

The brave SSG commando is asking military and judiciary to provide him guarentees that he will be safe. While he was self appointed in charge of the country for nine whole years, he did not care how insecure Pakistan had become for the citizens. It is better for him to swing his back on foreign tunes in desi parties abroad than to return to the country he used to say comes first.

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Mahmood

Jun 14, 2018 07:29pm

And it will be granted. like NS case at NAB. Otherwise we will all question double standards.

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Alba

Jun 14, 2018 08:11pm

More time. Now that has a familiar ring to it.

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Life

Jun 14, 2018 08:21pm

@Khalyee_Makhlooq : Just wow! You got a valid point.

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Bakhti

Jun 14, 2018 08:49pm

Why is everybody giving so much importance to him.

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Jun 14, 2018 09:05pm

Why is the court allowing Musharaf to dictate the date when he can appear! Just odd request

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atis

Jun 14, 2018 09:20pm

A great commando!

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M. Afzal Riaz, MD

Jun 14, 2018 09:41pm

Musharraf is an absconder and should be arrested. No need for CJP to waste time on him. He is NO entity.

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Khan

Jun 14, 2018 10:13pm

Block his ID and Passport now.

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Lahori kid

Jun 14, 2018 10:30pm

@k p rao, Google is not Wikileaks, you don't look for facts on google, its an information engine.

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Anand

Jun 14, 2018 10:46pm

More time. Till the end of time

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Khaja

Jun 14, 2018 11:01pm

@BK Brave! Some one hiding in Dubai and absconding from the court of law is a brave man?

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Dev

Jun 15, 2018 01:08am

Pakistan and South Asia needs Gen Musharaf. Only he can get stability and peace in this region

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s.r.reddy

Jun 15, 2018 01:32am

@BK is he really brave? if so why he is afraid to appear before court?

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s.r.reddy

Jun 15, 2018 01:34am

@M1 Jamal if he is a honest person how he is living a luxurious life in Dubai. do u think he is only depending on his pension.?

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IQBAL

Jun 15, 2018 01:49am

an interested game . in all this episode mushi got cnic and passport unblocked . ready to move all around except sweet pakistan and operate all his accounts. no body discuss it . we know even allien cant make him to win at least in current scenario

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Mian Mitthu Australian

Jun 15, 2018 05:37am

Kargil Hero. we need more like him to save kashmir

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Jalaluddin S. Hussain

Jun 15, 2018 06:57am

Since former President of Pakistan believes in his own country he should better attend the Supreme Court hearing. The Pakistan army is there sure to provide him with the necessary security.

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brar

Jun 15, 2018 07:24am

@atis brave man absconding if he is so brave why don.t he face the music.

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Imtiaz Ali Khan

Jun 15, 2018 09:22am

Musharraf is without a doubt the best leader since Ayub Khan. NRO was his biggest mistake. The ground realities during his days were 1000 times better than other grand looters, it's down right wrong to even compare President Musharraf with goons and looters like Zardari and Nawaz. Thank you President Musharraf for excellent governance. Pakistanis specially those who know economy and well educated know and understand your great contribution towards the well being of Pakistan. President Musharraf did excellent governance. Thank you President for you service in military and as a president. Great visionary leader all nonsense against him which now disqualified Nawaz is known for. Army gave Nawaz Politics entry now he blames army for everything. Pakistan Armed Force Zindabad!

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Ashish

Jun 15, 2018 01:22pm

@Abdul Razaque Bibi was extremely brave. She loved Pakistan despite what her family had to endure. One of the most heartbreaking event of this subcontinent was her assassination.

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