<p>Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered to fix for hearing a plea by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf against a decision by its registrar to not entertain his petition against a special court's high treason verdict.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/musharraf-conviction-pak-court-says-trial-in-absentia-against-golden-principles-of-natural-justice-277099">Musharraf conviction: Pakistan court says trial in absentia against golden principles of natural justice</a></p>

<p>Musharraf's counsel Salman Safdar appeared on his behalf to present arguments.</p>

<p>A three-member tribunal on December 17 last year handed down the death penalty to the 74-year-old retired general, now based in Dubai, after six years of hearing the high-profile treason case against him.</p>

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<p>His trial was declared as "unconstitutional" by the Lahore High Court (LHC) through a short order on January 13, leading to the annulment of the death sentence against the ex-Pakistan Army chief.</p>

<p>A month later, the former army chief approached the apex court seeking to overturn the high treason verdict. But the registrar returned Musharraf's plea with the observation that he should first surrender to the authorities before filing an appeal.</p>

<p>Musharraf filed the appeal in the apex court even though the Lahore High Court (LHC) has already declared unconstitutional the filing of high treason case against him, the formation of the Special Court as well as its proceedings, leading to the abolition of the death penalty handed down to him.</p>

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<p>Musharraf challenged the decision of the registrar and Justice Umar Ata Bandial after hearing in his chamber ordered that it should be heard by a three-member bench in the open court. He also asked the registrar to fix the hearing.</p>

<p>Musharraf's counsel Salman Safdar appeared on his behalf to present arguments.</p>

<p>The former ruler was convicted in absentia under Article 6 of the Constitution for the imposition of a state of emergency in 2007.</p>

<p>Some experts believe that Musharraf's conviction became ineffective after LHC decision but others say that it had no effect on the judgment.</p>

<p>Following the confusion, the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) on Tuesday challenged the LHC decision in the Supreme Court.</p>

<p>It said that LHC had no jurisdiction and it requested the apex court to uphold the death sentence of Musharraf in the case.</p>

<p>Musharraf has been living in Dubai since March 2016 where he went in the middle of the trial to get medical treatment but never came back.</p>


Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered to fix for hearing a plea by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf against a decision by its registrar to not entertain his petition against a special court's high treason verdict.

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered to fix for hearing a plea by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf against a decision by its registrar to not entertain his petition against a special court's high treason verdict. Also read: Musharraf conviction: Pakistan court says trial in absentia against golden principles of natural justice Musharraf's counsel Salman Safdar appeared on his behalf to present arguments. A three-member tribunal on December 17 last year handed down the death penalty to the 74-year-old retired general, now based in Dubai, after six years of hearing the high-profile treason case against him. × His trial was declared as "unconstitutional" by the Lahore High Court (LHC) through a short order on January 13, leading to the annulment of the death sentence against the ex-Pakistan Army chief. A month later, the former army chief approached the apex court seeking to overturn the high treason verdict. But the registrar returned Musharraf's plea with the observation that he should first surrender to the authorities before filing an appeal. Musharraf filed the appeal in the apex court even though the Lahore High Court (LHC) has already declared unconstitutional the filing of high treason case against him, the formation of the Special Court as well as its proceedings, leading to the abolition of the death penalty handed down to him. × Musharraf challenged the decision of the registrar and Justice Umar Ata Bandial after hearing in his chamber ordered that it should be heard by a three-member bench in the open court. He also asked the registrar to fix the hearing. Musharraf's counsel Salman Safdar appeared on his behalf to present arguments. The former ruler was convicted in absentia under Article 6 of the Constitution for the imposition of a state of emergency in 2007. Some experts believe that Musharraf's conviction became ineffective after LHC decision but others say that it had no effect on the judgment. Following the confusion, the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) on Tuesday challenged the LHC decision in the Supreme Court. It said that LHC had no jurisdiction and it requested the apex court to uphold the death sentence of Musharraf in the case. Musharraf has been living in Dubai since March 2016 where he went in the middle of the trial to get medical treatment but never came back.

Pakistan Supreme Court orders to fix for hearing Musharraf's plea against treason verdict

<p>After a special court handed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pervez-musharraf-handed-death-sentence-in-high-treason-case-268641">death sentence to former</a> Pak president Pervez Musharraf, the Army in a statement said the decision has been "received with a lot of pain and anguish by rank and file of the Pakistan Armed forces."</p>

<p>"An ex-Army chief, chairman joint chief of staff committee and President of Pakistan, who served the country for over 40 years, fought wars for the defence of the country can surely never be a traitor," the Army said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Statement on decision by Special court about General Pervez Musharraf, Retired. <a href="https://t.co/C9UAMT1E4W">pic.twitter.com/C9UAMT1E4W</a></p>
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/1206924551394930688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Musharraf,76, was sentenced to death for abrogating the Pakistan constitution and imposing emergency in 2007 in a case which began in 2013. Musharraf currently lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai.</p>

<p>"The due legal process seems to have been ignored including constitution of the special court, denial of fundamental right of self defence, undertaking individual specific proceedings and concluding the case in haste," the Army asserted.</p>

<p>"Armed forces of Pakistan expect that justice will be dispensed in line with the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan," it added.</p>

<p>Musharraf had resigned in 2008 over the threat of impeachment proceedings and had gone into exile in Dubai, however, he returned in 2013 to contest the polls in Pakistan but was barred from leaving the country.</p>

<p>After the court verdict, Benazir Bhutto's son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted: "Democracy is the best revenge".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Democracy is the best revenge. Jiye Bhutto <a href="https://t.co/L4wLEjUJTl">pic.twitter.com/L4wLEjUJTl</a></p>
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBhuttoZardari/status/1206839799296020481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>This is the first time in Pakistan's history that a former leader of the armed forces has been sentenced to death.</p>


After a special court handed death sentence to former Pak president Pervez Musharraf, the Army in a statement said the decision has been "received with a lot of pain and anguish by rank and file of the Pakistan Armed forces.

After a special court handed death sentence to former Pak president Pervez Musharraf, the Army in a statement said the decision has been "received with a lot of pain and anguish by rank and file of the Pakistan Armed forces." "An ex-Army chief, chairman joint chief of staff committee and President of Pakistan, who served the country for over 40 years, fought wars for the defence of the country can surely never be a traitor," the Army said. Statement on decision by Special court about General Pervez Musharraf, Retired. pic.twitter.com/C9UAMT1E4W — DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) December 17, 2019 × Musharraf,76, was sentenced to death for abrogating the Pakistan constitution and imposing emergency in 2007 in a case which began in 2013. Musharraf currently lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai. "The due legal process seems to have been ignored including constitution of the special court, denial of fundamental right of self defence, undertaking individual specific proceedings and concluding the case in haste," the Army asserted. "Armed forces of Pakistan expect that justice will be dispensed in line with the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan," it added. Musharraf had resigned in 2008 over the threat of impeachment proceedings and had gone into exile in Dubai, however, he returned in 2013 to contest the polls in Pakistan but was barred from leaving the country. After the court verdict, Benazir Bhutto's son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted: "Democracy is the best revenge". Democracy is the best revenge. Jiye Bhutto pic.twitter.com/L4wLEjUJTl — BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) December 17, 2019 × This is the first time in Pakistan's history that a former leader of the armed forces has been sentenced to death.

Musharraf's sentence received with 'pain & anguish', he can never be a traitor: Pak Army

<p>Pakistan has rejected former military ruler Pervez Musharraf&#39;s demands of military security and safe passage to Dubai to face his high treason trial, saying an &quot;absconder&quot; cannot give conditions and &quot;dictate his prerequisites&quot; to the court.<br />
<br />
The federal government yesterday told a three-member special court that being an absconder for high treason, 73- year-old Musharraf cannot seek any relief until he surrenders before the court which is trying him in the high treason case.<br />
<br />
&quot;An absconder cannot dictate his prerequisites to the court and give conditions, that too his own subjective satisfaction, as to when he will appear and for how long,&quot; the government said in its response.<br />
<br />
Musharraf filed an application before the special court on May 5 in which he expressed willingness to face the trial under military protection. He also sought assurance from the court that he would be given safe passage back to Dubai.<br />
<br />
The government, through its chief prosecutor Mohammad Akram Sheikh, said, &quot;The application has been filed only to prolong the conclusion of the trial,&quot; the Dawn reported.<br />
<br />
&quot;That similar applications requesting &#39;foolproof&#39; security and citing medical and security reasons have previously been made in the other cases pending against the absconding accused but no other court allowed these requests.&quot; it said.<br />
<br />
However, the government said it was willing to provide &quot;all due security&quot; to Musharraf &quot;as per his entitlement&quot;.<br />
<br />
It also said that measures of effectiveness of the security could not be left to the whims of the absconding suspect, as in that case, security measures would never be found adequate.<br />
<br />
The federal government said Musharraf&#39;s demands were delaying tactics and said the suspect&#39;s conduct showed he had no desire to appear in court.<br />
<br />
The government&#39;s response also expressed doubts over the authenticity of the medical reports filed by Musharraf&#39;s counsel.<br />
<br />
&quot;There is neither any independently verified evidence of the ailments and travel restrictions nor has any material been placed on record,&quot; it said.<br />
<br />
&quot;The attestation by consulate general of Pakistan, Dubai is dated August 9, 2016, whereas the body of the vakaltnama (power of attorney) has an overwritten date as April 30, 2017, which on the face of it shows that it is not an authentic document,&quot; the response said.<br />
<br />
According to the reply, the court through its order dated July 19, 2016, declared Musharraf to be a proclaimed offender/absconder. Perpetual arrest warrants have been issued against him, after which proceedings to confiscate his properties have also been initiated.<br />
<br />
The government asked the court to dismiss Musharraf&#39;s application seeking military security and safe passage to Dubai, and to take &quot;all appropriate coercive measures to procure the attendance of absconding accused to complete the trial&quot;.<br />
<br />
The special court will resume proceedings in the high treason trial on May 19.<br />
<br />
Musharraf imposed emergency in 2007 by suspending the constitution, which is high treason according to the constitution in Pakistan and carries maximum death penalty.</p>

<p>(PTI)</p>


Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf wanted to face trial under military protection and also requested for a safe passage to Dubai

Pakistan has rejected former military ruler Pervez Musharraf's demands of military security and safe passage to Dubai to face his high treason trial, saying an "absconder" cannot give conditions and "dictate his prerequisites" to the court. The federal government yesterday told a three-member special court that being an absconder for high treason, 73- year-old Musharraf cannot seek any relief until he surrenders before the court which is trying him in the high treason case. "An absconder cannot dictate his prerequisites to the court and give conditions, that too his own subjective satisfaction, as to when he will appear and for how long," the government said in its response. Musharraf filed an application before the special court on May 5 in which he expressed willingness to face the trial under military protection. He also sought assurance from the court that he would be given safe passage back to Dubai. The government, through its chief prosecutor Mohammad Akram Sheikh, said, "The application has been filed only to prolong the conclusion of the trial," the Dawn reported. "That similar applications requesting 'foolproof' security and citing medical and security reasons have previously been made in the other cases pending against the absconding accused but no other court allowed these requests." it said. However, the government said it was willing to provide "all due security" to Musharraf "as per his entitlement". It also said that measures of effectiveness of the security could not be left to the whims of the absconding suspect, as in that case, security measures would never be found adequate. The federal government said Musharraf's demands were delaying tactics and said the suspect's conduct showed he had no desire to appear in court. The government's response also expressed doubts over the authenticity of the medical reports filed by Musharraf's counsel. "There is neither any independently verified evidence of the ailments and travel restrictions nor has any material been placed on record," it said. "The attestation by consulate general of Pakistan, Dubai is dated August 9, 2016, whereas the body of the vakaltnama (power of attorney) has an overwritten date as April 30, 2017, which on the face of it shows that it is not an authentic document," the response said. According to the reply, the court through its order dated July 19, 2016, declared Musharraf to be a proclaimed offender/absconder. Perpetual arrest warrants have been issued against him, after which proceedings to confiscate his properties have also been initiated. The government asked the court to dismiss Musharraf's application seeking military security and safe passage to Dubai, and to take "all appropriate coercive measures to procure the attendance of absconding accused to complete the trial". The special court will resume proceedings in the high treason trial on May 19. Musharraf imposed emergency in 2007 by suspending the constitution, which is high treason according to the constitution in Pakistan and carries maximum death penalty. (PTI)

Pakistan snubs Musharraf's 'conditions' in high treason case