Most Pakistani generals spend their career deriding India. They are always at their prime minister's ear, feeding them all kinds of anti-India propaganda. This is one reason the relationship is so difficult.

The civilian leaders take one step forward and the military pulls them two steps back. However, looking at history, we noticed a trend among these generals. When they see retirement on the horizon, they suddenly become wise and rational — no more war-mongering or sabre-rattling.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-peace-with-india-bajwas-retirement-plan-385127">Watch |</a>

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In 1956, Gen&nbsp;Ayub Khan dispatched his minister for India's Republic Day and in 1986 Gen Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq visited India as he was invited by former prime minister Rajeev Gandhi. Then we have Pervez Musharraf who was keen on having closer ties with India in the public eye.&nbsp;India and Pakistan have held 114 bilateral talks since independence and 52 of them came between 2003 and 2007 under Pervez Musharraf.

The trend hints that Pakistani generals come to power promising fire and fury against India but closer to retirement, they want to be remembered as statesmen and the ones who tried to forge peace.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/saudi-arabia-announces-over-100-projects-for-cash-strapped-pakistan-during-imran-khans-visit-384353" hreflang="en">Saudi Arabia announces over 100 projects for cash-strapped Pakistan during Imran Khan's visit</a>

We are seeing this happen all over again. The current army chief, Gen Bajwa, has 18 months left in office and he is already thinking about his legacy.

In Pakistan, a general's legacy is not just about the battlefield. He is linked to the economy, internal politics and even geopolitics.

Usually, countries have civilian leaders handling it but not Pakistan.

During Bajwa's tenure, Pakistan's economy has taken a beating. They have requested multiple IMF bailouts. The foreign reserves are running out fast and the country is left with just $13 billion dollars.

In addition to this, the military had to suffer budget cuts and there is nothing Gen Bajwa can do.

The FATF listing is yet another darkness that covers the country. Pakistan has been on the ‘grey list’ for three years now and no progress has been made.

It is a similar scenario in geopolitics. Allies such as Saudi Arabia are choosing India over Pakistan. In Afghanistan, the world community has just one message for them: please stay away and let Afghanistan prosper.

In the end, Pakistan is only left with China as an ally but it won't be long before the Chinese loan comes due.

Gen&nbsp;Bajwa is, therefore, trying to score a point on India by talking about peace. Bajwa, in March, urged countries to bury the past and move forward.

The festival of Eid came as the perfect excuse for Bajwa. While offering prayers, he commented on Kashmir, saying, "it is time to end this human tragedy".

Most Pakistani generals spend their career deriding India. They are always at their prime minister's ear, feeding them all kinds of anti-India propaganda. This is one reason the relationship is so difficult.

Most Pakistani generals spend their career deriding India. They are always at their prime minister's ear, feeding them all kinds of anti-India propaganda. This is one reason the relationship is so difficult. The civilian leaders take one step forward and the military pulls them two steps back. However, looking at history, we noticed a trend among these generals. When they see retirement on the horizon, they suddenly become wise and rational — no more war-mongering or sabre-rattling. Watch | In 1956, Gen Ayub Khan dispatched his minister for India's Republic Day and in 1986 Gen Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq visited India as he was invited by former prime minister Rajeev Gandhi. Then we have Pervez Musharraf who was keen on having closer ties with India in the public eye. India and Pakistan have held 114 bilateral talks since independence and 52 of them came between 2003 and 2007 under Pervez Musharraf. The trend hints that Pakistani generals come to power promising fire and fury against India but closer to retirement, they want to be remembered as statesmen and the ones who tried to forge peace. Also read | Saudi Arabia announces over 100 projects for cash-strapped Pakistan during Imran Khan's visit We are seeing this happen all over again. The current army chief, Gen Bajwa, has 18 months left in office and he is already thinking about his legacy. In Pakistan, a general's legacy is not just about the battlefield. He is linked to the economy, internal politics and even geopolitics. Usually, countries have civilian leaders handling it but not Pakistan. During Bajwa's tenure, Pakistan's economy has taken a beating. They have requested multiple IMF bailouts. The foreign reserves are running out fast and the country is left with just $13 billion dollars. In addition to this, the military had to suffer budget cuts and there is nothing Gen Bajwa can do. The FATF listing is yet another darkness that covers the country. Pakistan has been on the ‘grey list’ for three years now and no progress has been made. It is a similar scenario in geopolitics. Allies such as Saudi Arabia are choosing India over Pakistan. In Afghanistan, the world community has just one message for them: please stay away and let Afghanistan prosper. In the end, Pakistan is only left with China as an ally but it won't be long before the Chinese loan comes due. Gen Bajwa is, therefore, trying to score a point on India by talking about peace. Bajwa, in March, urged countries to bury the past and move forward. The festival of Eid came as the perfect excuse for Bajwa. While offering prayers, he commented on Kashmir, saying, "it is time to end this human tragedy".

General Bajwa's olive branch to India: A truce or retirement plan?

Pakistan's former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali died on Wednesday after recently suffering from a heart attack, his family confirmed on Wednesday

The 76-year-old, who became the prime minister under military dictator Pervez Musharraf, died in Rawalpindi, his son Mir Muhammad Khan Jamali said.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/with-another-rally-tussle-between-imran-khan-govt-and-opposition-intensifies-346571">With another rally, tussle between Imran Khan-govt and opposition intensifies</a>

Jamali took office in November 2002 when Musharraf allowed holding parliamentary elections after coming into power via a military coup.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/musharraf-pleas-pakistans-president-for-mercy-276378">Musharraf seeks mercy from Pakistan President Alvi over death penalty</a>

He stepped down in 2004 due to differences with the party leadership and Musharraf and was succeeded by his cabinet minister Shaukat Aziz who held the post until the next election was held in 2008.

Coming from an influential political family, Jamali was the first and only PM from the province of Balochistan, which has seen a lot of unrest due to several separatist and Islamist insurgencies.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed his condolences via a tweet.&nbsp;

"Saddened to hear of the passing of Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali. My condolences and prayers go to his family," Khan wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

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Saddened to hear of the passing of Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali. My condolences and prayers go to his family.
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Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa also his condolences on the former PM's demise.&nbsp;

“May Allah bless his soul &amp; give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss," tweeted an Inter-Services Public Relations quoting him as saying.

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General Qamar Javed Bajwa, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COAS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COAS</a>, expresses heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali. “May Allah bless his soul &amp; give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss, Ameen”, COAS.
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/1334190322918825984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The former PM will be buried on Thursday in his ancestral town of Rojhan Jamali.

Pakistan's former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali died on Wednesday after recently suffering from a heart attack, his family confirmed on Wednesday The 76-year-old, who became the prime minister under military dictator Pervez Musharraf, died in Rawalpindi, his son Mir Muhammad Khan Jamali said.

Pakistan's former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali died on Wednesday after recently suffering from a heart attack, his family confirmed on Wednesday The 76-year-old, who became the prime minister under military dictator Pervez Musharraf, died in Rawalpindi, his son Mir Muhammad Khan Jamali said. Also read | With another rally, tussle between Imran Khan-govt and opposition intensifies Jamali took office in November 2002 when Musharraf allowed holding parliamentary elections after coming into power via a military coup. Also read | Musharraf seeks mercy from Pakistan President Alvi over death penalty He stepped down in 2004 due to differences with the party leadership and Musharraf and was succeeded by his cabinet minister Shaukat Aziz who held the post until the next election was held in 2008. Coming from an influential political family, Jamali was the first and only PM from the province of Balochistan, which has seen a lot of unrest due to several separatist and Islamist insurgencies. Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed his condolences via a tweet. "Saddened to hear of the passing of Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali. My condolences and prayers go to his family," Khan wrote on Twitter. Saddened to hear of the passing of Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali. My condolences and prayers go to his family. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 2, 2020 × Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa also his condolences on the former PM's demise. “May Allah bless his soul & give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss," tweeted an Inter-Services Public Relations quoting him as saying. General Qamar Javed Bajwa, #COAS, expresses heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali. “May Allah bless his soul & give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss, Ameen”, COAS. — DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) December 2, 2020 × The former PM will be buried on Thursday in his ancestral town of Rojhan Jamali.

Former Pakistan PM Jamali, who held office under Musharraf, dies

October 12 in history: From renaming of White House to the sale of first raincoat

Asim Saleem Bajwa, a close aide of the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is under scrutiny for corruption. Now people from all over the Pakistan are raising questions from PM Imran Khan. Know either Pak Pm will break his silence over the matter or he will help Bajwa with cover-up.

Retired Pak Army Lt. Gen under scrutiny, will PM Imran Khan break his silence?

People of Pakistan are demanding accountability regarding corruption scandal gathering storm in the country. Pakistanis said they are done with corruption in the army. People are raising questions on social media of Pervez Musharraf & Imran Khan.

Pak Corruption: Demand for probe into Saleem Bajwa's assets, questions raised of Imran Khan

"Genuine leadership, party workers are completely lost in Pakistan," said senior journalist and broadcaster Reham Khan on WION's Global Summit 2020 when asked whether Pakistan's politics can be recalibrated.&nbsp;

The theme of the session was: "Balancing and Recalibrating Pakistan’s Diplomatic Strategy: Economy, Security and Internal Political Stability". The other panellists in the session were: Pakistan's former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and former foreign secretary Salman Bashir.&nbsp;

Watch:

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&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WIONGlobalSummit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONGlobalSummit</a> | Session 3: Balancing and Recalibrating Pakistan’s Diplomatic Strategy 
 
"There needs to be political will for peace from both India and Pakistan", says <a href="https://twitter.com/Salman_B_PK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Salman_B_PK</a>, Former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wionDubaiSummit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wionDubaiSummit</a> <a href="https://t.co/Dt7j27cOqY">pic.twitter.com/Dt7j27cOqY</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1235523483423002624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"It's sad to see Maryam Nawaz Sharif not being able to represent in Parliament. We need to encourage student leadership. We really need to encourage young leaders, we have seen some of the most sensible voices coming from women in India and Pakistan," Reham said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-global-summit-this-era-is-witnessing-end-of-western-dominance-says-sri-lankas-former-pm-ranil-wickremesinghe-284451">WION Global Summit: This era is witnessing end of western dominance, says Sri Lanka's former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe</a>

Mahmud Kasuri, who was foreign minister when military dictator Pervez Musharraf was in power, claimed that in 2006 Pakistan invited former Indian PM Manmohan Singh to sign an agreement on Sir Creek.&nbsp;

"We wanted to prove to the world that India and Pakistan could change things bilaterally...unfortunately, we said March when Musharraf went hell lose", said Mahmud Kasuri.&nbsp;

Mahmud Kasuri also said that Pakistan's relations with the United States took a nosedive since 2011. However, he said that US President Donald Trump repeatedly insisted on mediations to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir despite New Delhi's reservations.&nbsp;

Kasuri said that only China and the US can play a role in resolving the issue. "The US has a slight tilt towards India," Kasuri said.&nbsp;

Salman Bashir said that religious tourism like opening up Kartarpur Corridor could act as important steps.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Genuine leadership, party workers are completely lost in Pakistan," said senior journalist and broadcaster Reham Khan on WION's Global Summit 2020 when asked whether Pakistan's politics can be recalibrated.

"Genuine leadership, party workers are completely lost in Pakistan," said senior journalist and broadcaster Reham Khan on WION's Global Summit 2020 when asked whether Pakistan's politics can be recalibrated. The theme of the session was: "Balancing and Recalibrating Pakistan’s Diplomatic Strategy: Economy, Security and Internal Political Stability". The other panellists in the session were: Pakistan's former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and former foreign secretary Salman Bashir. Watch: #WIONGlobalSummit | Session 3: Balancing and Recalibrating Pakistan’s Diplomatic Strategy "There needs to be political will for peace from both India and Pakistan", says @Salman_B_PK, Former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan#wionDubaiSummit pic.twitter.com/Dt7j27cOqY — WION (@WIONews) March 5, 2020 × "It's sad to see Maryam Nawaz Sharif not being able to represent in Parliament. We need to encourage student leadership. We really need to encourage young leaders, we have seen some of the most sensible voices coming from women in India and Pakistan," Reham said. Also read: WION Global Summit: This era is witnessing end of western dominance, says Sri Lanka's former PM Ranil Wickremesinghe Mahmud Kasuri, who was foreign minister when military dictator Pervez Musharraf was in power, claimed that in 2006 Pakistan invited former Indian PM Manmohan Singh to sign an agreement on Sir Creek. "We wanted to prove to the world that India and Pakistan could change things bilaterally...unfortunately, we said March when Musharraf went hell lose", said Mahmud Kasuri. Mahmud Kasuri also said that Pakistan's relations with the United States took a nosedive since 2011. However, he said that US President Donald Trump repeatedly insisted on mediations to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir despite New Delhi's reservations. Kasuri said that only China and the US can play a role in resolving the issue. "The US has a slight tilt towards India," Kasuri said. Salman Bashir said that religious tourism like opening up Kartarpur Corridor could act as important steps.

Genuine leadership completely lost in Pakistan: Reham Khan

Former Pakistan President and ex-army general Pervez Musharaff has forwarded a mercy petition to President Dr Arif Alvi. In the petition sent by Musharaff to the President of Pakistan, he argued that he was unlawfully given the death penalty without being given an opportunity to contest the verdict.

WION Dispatch: Pak Ex-President Pervez Musharraf forwards mercy petition

The Pakistan Supreme Court office has refused to the rejected appeal of former President Pervez Musharraf against his conviction in the high treason case.

Pakistan: Musharraf's death penalty 'on hold'

Pakistan Pervez Musharraf's appeal rejected by Supreme Court

The Lahore High Court&nbsp;on Monday annulled the death sentence given to former military dictator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/musharraf-challenges-special-courts-verdict-in-high-treason-case-270655">Pervez Musharraf </a>by the special court earlier in the high treason case against him, news agency AFP reported.

A wave of controversy was sparked in Pakistan after a session court ruled the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/pervez-musharraf-case-a-new-dawn-in-pakistan-269126">death sentence to Musharraf</a>. It was the first time a former leader of the armed forces had faced such a sentence for treason in Pakistan.

According to the report, The Lahore court ruled the previous judgement "illegal" and there is "no judgment against him any longer".

"Yes, he is a free man. Right now there is<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-former-dictator-musharraf-calls-death-sentence-a-personal-vendetta-269111"> no judgment against him any longer</a>," news agency AFP quoted the prosecutor representing the government, Ishtiaq A. Khan as saying.

"The filing of the complaint, the constitution of the court, the selection of the prosecution team are illegal, declared to be illegal... And at the end of the day the full judgment has been set aside," Khan said.

Watch |&nbsp;The Story Of General Pervez Musharraf &amp; His Troubled Legacy

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Musharraf's lawyer, Azhar Siddique, also told media outside the court in Lahore that it has "nullified everything".

The prosecution now has the option to file a new case against Musharraf with the approval of the federal Cabinet.&nbsp;

In 2013, Musharraf was booked in the treason case for imposing a state of emergency in the country on November 3, 2007, and suspending the Constitution till the mid of December 2007.&nbsp;

He was handed down the death penalty by the special court on December 17 with a two to one majority.

Musharraf first took power after ousting prime minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup in 1999.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Lahore High Court on Monday annulled the death sentence given to former military dictator Pervez Musharraf by the special court earlier in the high treason case against him, news agency AFP reported.

The Lahore High Court on Monday annulled the death sentence given to former military dictator Pervez Musharraf by the special court earlier in the high treason case against him, news agency AFP reported. A wave of controversy was sparked in Pakistan after a session court ruled the death sentence to Musharraf. It was the first time a former leader of the armed forces had faced such a sentence for treason in Pakistan. According to the report, The Lahore court ruled the previous judgement "illegal" and there is "no judgment against him any longer". "Yes, he is a free man. Right now there is no judgment against him any longer," news agency AFP quoted the prosecutor representing the government, Ishtiaq A. Khan as saying. "The filing of the complaint, the constitution of the court, the selection of the prosecution team are illegal, declared to be illegal... And at the end of the day the full judgment has been set aside," Khan said. Watch | The Story Of General Pervez Musharraf & His Troubled Legacy × Musharraf's lawyer, Azhar Siddique, also told media outside the court in Lahore that it has "nullified everything". The prosecution now has the option to file a new case against Musharraf with the approval of the federal Cabinet. In 2013, Musharraf was booked in the treason case for imposing a state of emergency in the country on November 3, 2007, and suspending the Constitution till the mid of December 2007. He was handed down the death penalty by the special court on December 17 with a two to one majority. Musharraf first took power after ousting prime minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup in 1999. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan court annuls Musharraf's death penalty

The Lahore High Court (<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/government-has-a-week-to-decide-on-maryams-request-to-be-struck-off-exit-control-list-lhc-267233">LHC</a>) will hear on Thursday three civil miscellaneous applications filed by convicted former military dictator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/pervez-musharraf-case-a-new-dawn-in-pakistan-269126">Pervez Musharraf</a>, challenging the formation and proceedings of the special court in the high treason case against him.

A three-judge bench comprising Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Mohammad Ameer Bhatti and Justice Chaudhry Masood Jahangir will hear the applications which challenge multiple actions against Musharraf, including the formation of a special court which had handed down the death penalty to him on December 17, Dawn reported.

The applications had been returned by LHC on December 27, last year, due to unavailability of the full bench during the winter vacation. They were filed again yesterday by a legal panel comprising Khwaja Ahmad Tariq Rahim and Azhar Siddique.

In his applications, the former military dictator asked the High Court to set aside the special court's verdict for being illegal, without jurisdiction, unconstitutional and in violation of Articles 10-A, 4, 5, 10 and 10-A of the Constitution.

The applications argued that the president of the special court had crossed all religious, moral, civil and constitutional limits, while ruthlessly, irreligiously, unlawfully, unrealistically awarding a sentence against the dignity of a person.

Musharraf was booked in the treason case in 2013 for imposing a state of emergency in the country on November 3, 2007, and suspending the Constitution till the mid of December 2007. He was handed down the death penalty by the special court on December 17 with a two to one majority.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) will hear on Thursday three civil miscellaneous applications filed by convicted former military dictator Pervez Musharraf, challenging the formation and proceedings of the special court in the high treason case against him.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) will hear on Thursday three civil miscellaneous applications filed by convicted former military dictator Pervez Musharraf, challenging the formation and proceedings of the special court in the high treason case against him. A three-judge bench comprising Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Mohammad Ameer Bhatti and Justice Chaudhry Masood Jahangir will hear the applications which challenge multiple actions against Musharraf, including the formation of a special court which had handed down the death penalty to him on December 17, Dawn reported. The applications had been returned by LHC on December 27, last year, due to unavailability of the full bench during the winter vacation. They were filed again yesterday by a legal panel comprising Khwaja Ahmad Tariq Rahim and Azhar Siddique. In his applications, the former military dictator asked the High Court to set aside the special court's verdict for being illegal, without jurisdiction, unconstitutional and in violation of Articles 10-A, 4, 5, 10 and 10-A of the Constitution. The applications argued that the president of the special court had crossed all religious, moral, civil and constitutional limits, while ruthlessly, irreligiously, unlawfully, unrealistically awarding a sentence against the dignity of a person. Musharraf was booked in the treason case in 2013 for imposing a state of emergency in the country on November 3, 2007, and suspending the Constitution till the mid of December 2007. He was handed down the death penalty by the special court on December 17 with a two to one majority.

Lahore High Court to take up Musharraf's pleas against his conviction in treason verdict today

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday returned the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/musharraf-challenges-special-courts-verdict-in-high-treason-case-270655">application filed by former president and military dictator Pervez Musharraf</a> against his conviction in the high treason case by a special court, citing unavailability of the full bench during winter vacations.

A legal panel comprising of Khawaja Ahmad Tariq Rahim and Azhar Siddique had filed the application under Section 151 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) in a pending main writ petition of Musharraf under Article 199 of the Constitution challenging all actions of the special trial court, Dawn reported.

A three-judge bench of the LHC Chief is scheduled to take up the main petition on January 9.

The special court had announced its verdict on December 17 and handed down death penalty to Musharraf with a 2-1 majority.

In his application, the former military dictator asked the High Court to set aside the special court`s verdict for being illegal, without jurisdiction, unconstitutional and in violation of Articles 10-A, 4, 5, 10 and 10-A of the Constitution.

Advocate Siddique told Dawn that the registrar`s office returned the application as the full bench was not available during the winter vacations.

He said the application would be filed in the first week of January. The 85-page application further stated that Musharraf was not given a chance to present his arguments.

It said, "The hastily announced judgment is emanating from a prosecution case which suffers, for all intents and purposes from an admitted, noticeable and unexplained delay of over five years from the date of the alleged offence and initiation of the proceeding."

The application also assailed paragraph 66 of the special court`s verdict wherein its head Justice Waqar Seth had stated, "We direct the law enforcement agencies to strive their level best to apprehend the fugitive/convict and to ensure that the punishment is inflicted as per law and if found dead, his corpse be dragged to the D-Chowk, Islamabad, Pakistan, and be hanged for three days."

The application argued that the president of the special court had crossed all religious, moral, civil and constitutional limits, while ruthlessly, irreligiously, unlawfully, unrealistically awarding a sentence against the dignity of a person.

Earlier this month Musharraf had filed an application in the LHC, urging it to halt the special court from sentencing him in absentia.

In the petition, the former dictator had challenged the formation of the special court holding his trial under charges of high treason and legal flaws committed in the procedure.Musharraf was booked in the treason case in 2013 for imposing a state of emergency in the country on November 3, 2007, and suspending the Constitution till the mid of December 2007.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday returned the application filed by former president and military dictator Pervez Musharraf against his conviction in the high treason case by a special court, citing unavailability of the full bench during winter vacations.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday returned the application filed by former president and military dictator Pervez Musharraf against his conviction in the high treason case by a special court, citing unavailability of the full bench during winter vacations. A legal panel comprising of Khawaja Ahmad Tariq Rahim and Azhar Siddique had filed the application under Section 151 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) in a pending main writ petition of Musharraf under Article 199 of the Constitution challenging all actions of the special trial court, Dawn reported. A three-judge bench of the LHC Chief is scheduled to take up the main petition on January 9. The special court had announced its verdict on December 17 and handed down death penalty to Musharraf with a 2-1 majority. In his application, the former military dictator asked the High Court to set aside the special court`s verdict for being illegal, without jurisdiction, unconstitutional and in violation of Articles 10-A, 4, 5, 10 and 10-A of the Constitution. Advocate Siddique told Dawn that the registrar`s office returned the application as the full bench was not available during the winter vacations. He said the application would be filed in the first week of January. The 85-page application further stated that Musharraf was not given a chance to present his arguments. It said, "The hastily announced judgment is emanating from a prosecution case which suffers, for all intents and purposes from an admitted, noticeable and unexplained delay of over five years from the date of the alleged offence and initiation of the proceeding." The application also assailed paragraph 66 of the special court`s verdict wherein its head Justice Waqar Seth had stated, "We direct the law enforcement agencies to strive their level best to apprehend the fugitive/convict and to ensure that the punishment is inflicted as per law and if found dead, his corpse be dragged to the D-Chowk, Islamabad, Pakistan, and be hanged for three days." The application argued that the president of the special court had crossed all religious, moral, civil and constitutional limits, while ruthlessly, irreligiously, unlawfully, unrealistically awarding a sentence against the dignity of a person. Earlier this month Musharraf had filed an application in the LHC, urging it to halt the special court from sentencing him in absentia. In the petition, the former dictator had challenged the formation of the special court holding his trial under charges of high treason and legal flaws committed in the procedure.Musharraf was booked in the treason case in 2013 for imposing a state of emergency in the country on November 3, 2007, and suspending the Constitution till the mid of December 2007.

Court returns Musharraf application against his conviction in treason verdict

Pakistan's former dictator Pervez Musharraf on Friday filed a review petition with the Lahore High Court challenging the verdict by a special court in Islamabad that had pronounced death penalty in the high treason case against him.

On December 19, a special court in Islamabad found Musharraf guilty of high treason and handed him a death sentence under Article 6 of the Constitution.

The verdict marked the first time in Pakistan's history that a military chief was declared guilty of high treason and handed a death sentence.

The former army chief filed the 86 page-long petition through his counsel Advocate Azhar Siddique and named the federal government and others as respondents, Dawn reported.

A full bench, chaired by Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi, will hear the petition on January 9, 2020.

The petition highlighted that the "judgement contained a mix of anomalies and contradictory statements".

It added that the special court "rapidly and hurriedly wrapped up the trial which was far from conclusion."

"The special court [...] announced an award of capital punishment to the applicant without examining the accused under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code (power to examine the accused). The importance of examining the accused in a criminal trial is enormous and any lapse, failure or omission to fulfil this requirement adversely affects the prosecution case," the petition read.

"A criminal trial cannot simply [be] complete without adhering to this mandatory legal requirement," it said.

Earlier this month Musharraf had filed an application in the LHC, urging it to halt the special court from sentencing him in absentia.

In the petition, the former dictator had challenged the formation of the special court holding his trial under charges of high treason and legal flaws committed in the procedure.

Three days after he had filed the petition (on December 14), Musharraf, who is currently abroad, was handed the death penalty by the special court in Islamabad after the three-member bench convicted him in a treason case.

Musharraf was booked in the treason case in 2013 for imposing a state of emergency in the country on November 3, 2007, and suspending the Constitution till the mid of December 2007.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Pakistan's former dictator Pervez Musharraf on Friday filed a review petition with the Lahore High Court challenging the verdict by a special court in Islamabad that had pronounced death penalty in the high treason case against him.

Pakistan's former dictator Pervez Musharraf on Friday filed a review petition with the Lahore High Court challenging the verdict by a special court in Islamabad that had pronounced death penalty in the high treason case against him. On December 19, a special court in Islamabad found Musharraf guilty of high treason and handed him a death sentence under Article 6 of the Constitution. The verdict marked the first time in Pakistan's history that a military chief was declared guilty of high treason and handed a death sentence. The former army chief filed the 86 page-long petition through his counsel Advocate Azhar Siddique and named the federal government and others as respondents, Dawn reported. A full bench, chaired by Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi, will hear the petition on January 9, 2020. The petition highlighted that the "judgement contained a mix of anomalies and contradictory statements". It added that the special court "rapidly and hurriedly wrapped up the trial which was far from conclusion." "The special court [...] announced an award of capital punishment to the applicant without examining the accused under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code (power to examine the accused). The importance of examining the accused in a criminal trial is enormous and any lapse, failure or omission to fulfil this requirement adversely affects the prosecution case," the petition read. "A criminal trial cannot simply [be] complete without adhering to this mandatory legal requirement," it said. Earlier this month Musharraf had filed an application in the LHC, urging it to halt the special court from sentencing him in absentia. In the petition, the former dictator had challenged the formation of the special court holding his trial under charges of high treason and legal flaws committed in the procedure. Three days after he had filed the petition (on December 14), Musharraf, who is currently abroad, was handed the death penalty by the special court in Islamabad after the three-member bench convicted him in a treason case. Musharraf was booked in the treason case in 2013 for imposing a state of emergency in the country on November 3, 2007, and suspending the Constitution till the mid of December 2007.

Musharraf challenges special court's verdict in high treason case

Supporters of Pakistan's military dictator, Gen (retd) <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/pervez-musharraf-case-a-new-dawn-in-pakistan-269126">Pervez Musharraf</a>, who was sentenced to death last week, held a protest in the British capital on Sunday alleging that the former president has been treated unfairly.

Activists of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) gathered outside the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-summons-pakistan-high-commission-official-over-killing-of-civilian-in-cfv-190815">Pakistan High Commission </a>to "demand justice for Pervez Musharraf" and to register condemnation of the "politically motivated" cases against their leader. They said that Musharraf does not deserve the death sentence after being tried under Article 6 of the Constitution of Pakistan for high treason, Geo News reported.

The demonstrators raised slogans in Musharraf's support and said that he had brought a lot of development to Pakistan and under him, Pakistan earned respect in the world.

Calling the Islamabad Special Court's verdict as 'unfair,' the protestors further claimed that Musharraf's years in power were a "golden era" for Pakistan and he had dealt effectively with terrorism.

President APML Overseas, Afzal Siddiqui, who led the protest, was quoted as saying that the party condemned paragraph 66 of the detailed verdict which contained remarks that Musharraf's body should be dragged and hanged at D-Chowk for three days.

He added that the former leader was not given a fair trial and the way the trial was initiated and conducted showed that it was always been an exercise of "revenge".

He criticised former chief justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry, for instructing the government to try Musharraf under Article 6. He said that it became clear when a Supreme Court judge openly mocked the former president.

"The political, fabricated and fraudulent nature of the case may also be gauged from the fact that it was hastily concluded without hearing the former president, sentencing him in absentia, restricting the latter from presenting evidence and by aggressively dismissing the noble efforts of the law minister and the attorney general for remedying earlier serious politicised legal shortcomings. The new prosecution team was not even granted the time to study the case," he said.

A petition given to the authorities at Pakistan High Commission by the protestors said that holding the constitution in abeyance was not an offence according to the Pakistani constitution in 2007. Only later in 2010 through the 18th amendment, the text of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/pervez-musharraf-case-a-new-dawn-in-pakistan-269126">Article 6</a> was modified to make abeyance of the constitution an offence.

"We ask to declare null and void this bizarre special court judgment and reject all malicious attempts to label Musharraf a 'traitor'. The honourable Musharraf has fought wars for Pakistan and was the beloved chief of Pakistan Army. His tenure witnessed unprecedented growth of the Pakistani economy and led to the betterment of the Pakistani people. Musharraf can never be a traitor," the petition read.

Supporters of Pakistan's military dictator, Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf, who was sentenced to death last week, held a protest in the British capital on Sunday alleging that the former president has been treated unfairly.

Supporters of Pakistan's military dictator, Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf, who was sentenced to death last week, held a protest in the British capital on Sunday alleging that the former president has been treated unfairly. Activists of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) gathered outside the Pakistan High Commission to "demand justice for Pervez Musharraf" and to register condemnation of the "politically motivated" cases against their leader. They said that Musharraf does not deserve the death sentence after being tried under Article 6 of the Constitution of Pakistan for high treason, Geo News reported. The demonstrators raised slogans in Musharraf's support and said that he had brought a lot of development to Pakistan and under him, Pakistan earned respect in the world. Calling the Islamabad Special Court's verdict as 'unfair,' the protestors further claimed that Musharraf's years in power were a "golden era" for Pakistan and he had dealt effectively with terrorism. President APML Overseas, Afzal Siddiqui, who led the protest, was quoted as saying that the party condemned paragraph 66 of the detailed verdict which contained remarks that Musharraf's body should be dragged and hanged at D-Chowk for three days. He added that the former leader was not given a fair trial and the way the trial was initiated and conducted showed that it was always been an exercise of "revenge". He criticised former chief justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry, for instructing the government to try Musharraf under Article 6. He said that it became clear when a Supreme Court judge openly mocked the former president. "The political, fabricated and fraudulent nature of the case may also be gauged from the fact that it was hastily concluded without hearing the former president, sentencing him in absentia, restricting the latter from presenting evidence and by aggressively dismissing the noble efforts of the law minister and the attorney general for remedying earlier serious politicised legal shortcomings. The new prosecution team was not even granted the time to study the case," he said. A petition given to the authorities at Pakistan High Commission by the protestors said that holding the constitution in abeyance was not an offence according to the Pakistani constitution in 2007. Only later in 2010 through the 18th amendment, the text of Article 6 was modified to make abeyance of the constitution an offence. "We ask to declare null and void this bizarre special court judgment and reject all malicious attempts to label Musharraf a 'traitor'. The honourable Musharraf has fought wars for Pakistan and was the beloved chief of Pakistan Army. His tenure witnessed unprecedented growth of the Pakistani economy and led to the betterment of the Pakistani people. Musharraf can never be a traitor," the petition read.

Musharraf's supporters hold 'justice' protest in London

By: Mallika Singh

Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was sentenced to death on Tuesday by the Pakistan High Court on the accounts of high treason.&nbsp;

The three-judge Bench handed out a death sentence to Musharraf for suspending the Constitution and imposing emergency rule in 2007.&nbsp;

Musharraf was first booked for treason in December 2013 and was indicted on March 31, 2014, The prosecution had tabled the entire evidence before the special court in September the same year.&nbsp;

However, due to litigation at appellate forums, the trial of the former military dictator lingered on and he left Pakistan in March 2016.

Born on August 11, 1943, Musharraf - a retired four-star army general - was the 10th President of Pakistan whose presidency lasted from 2001 until 2008 when he had to render his resignation to avoid impeachment.&nbsp;

Born in Delhi, in undivided India, Musharraf was raised in Istanbul and Karachi and went on to join the Pakistan Military Academy in 1961.&nbsp;

Rising through the ranks, Musharraf was appointed as the head of the Pakistani Armed Forces by the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in October 1988 and also led the Kargil infiltration against India in 1999.&nbsp;

Musharraf led a military coup against the democratic government of Nawaz Sharif in 1999, overtaking Sharif as the head of the country and placing him under house arrest.&nbsp;

Although he had promised a subsequent return to civilian rule, Musharraf suspended the constitution and dissolved the Parliament, appointing the National Security Council to rule the country.&nbsp;

Musharraf was later appointed as the President of Pakistan on June 20, 2001, and after a dubious referendum, his presidency was extended for five years in May 2002.&nbsp;

Later in the same year, Musharraf reinstated a heavily amended constitution and general elections were held under the supervision of the army in which the Pakistan Muslim League- Q emerged victoriously.&nbsp;

Musharraf’s move to seek reelection in 2007 faced opposition from the Pakistan Supreme Court over the issue of him continuing to be the head of the state and the army.&nbsp;

Amid rising tensions, the supreme court delayed the results of his reelection to which Musharraf responded by declaring a state of emergency in the country citing terrorist threats.&nbsp;

Emergency enabled him to suspend the constitution again, dismiss the chief justice and replace the supreme court bench who later dismissed the legal challenges to Musharraf’s reelection. Following which Musharraf resigned from his military post and become a civilian president.&nbsp;

During the emergency, Musharraf arrested several opposition leaders and imposed strict restrictions on the media.&nbsp;

Post the emergency uplift in December, several amendments were again made to the constitution that protected measures enforced during the emergency rule.&nbsp;

In the elections of February 2008, Musharraf’s party was widely rejected by the people of Pakistan and saw the reelection of Sharif with the help of coalition with Asif Ali Zardari.&nbsp;

Hence began the impeachment proceedings against Musharraf, leading him to announce his resignation on August 18.&nbsp;

Musharraf tried to return to electoral politics in March 2013 elections, His attempts to contest from his newly formed All Pakistan Muslim League were thwarted due to several political and legal obstacles, leading to his disqualification.&nbsp;

He was later permitted to move to Dubai to seek medical assistance in 2016, where he remains till date to seek treatment for amyloidosis.

By: Mallika Singh Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was sentenced to death on Tuesday by the Pakistan High Court on the accounts of high treason. The three-judge Bench handed out a death sentence to Musharraf for suspending the Constitution and imposing emergency rule in 2007.

By: Mallika Singh Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was sentenced to death on Tuesday by the Pakistan High Court on the accounts of high treason. The three-judge Bench handed out a death sentence to Musharraf for suspending the Constitution and imposing emergency rule in 2007. Musharraf was first booked for treason in December 2013 and was indicted on March 31, 2014, The prosecution had tabled the entire evidence before the special court in September the same year. However, due to litigation at appellate forums, the trial of the former military dictator lingered on and he left Pakistan in March 2016. Born on August 11, 1943, Musharraf - a retired four-star army general - was the 10th President of Pakistan whose presidency lasted from 2001 until 2008 when he had to render his resignation to avoid impeachment. Born in Delhi, in undivided India, Musharraf was raised in Istanbul and Karachi and went on to join the Pakistan Military Academy in 1961. Rising through the ranks, Musharraf was appointed as the head of the Pakistani Armed Forces by the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in October 1988 and also led the Kargil infiltration against India in 1999. Musharraf led a military coup against the democratic government of Nawaz Sharif in 1999, overtaking Sharif as the head of the country and placing him under house arrest. Although he had promised a subsequent return to civilian rule, Musharraf suspended the constitution and dissolved the Parliament, appointing the National Security Council to rule the country. Musharraf was later appointed as the President of Pakistan on June 20, 2001, and after a dubious referendum, his presidency was extended for five years in May 2002. Later in the same year, Musharraf reinstated a heavily amended constitution and general elections were held under the supervision of the army in which the Pakistan Muslim League- Q emerged victoriously. Musharraf’s move to seek reelection in 2007 faced opposition from the Pakistan Supreme Court over the issue of him continuing to be the head of the state and the army. Amid rising tensions, the supreme court delayed the results of his reelection to which Musharraf responded by declaring a state of emergency in the country citing terrorist threats. Emergency enabled him to suspend the constitution again, dismiss the chief justice and replace the supreme court bench who later dismissed the legal challenges to Musharraf’s reelection. Following which Musharraf resigned from his military post and become a civilian president. During the emergency, Musharraf arrested several opposition leaders and imposed strict restrictions on the media. Post the emergency uplift in December, several amendments were again made to the constitution that protected measures enforced during the emergency rule. In the elections of February 2008, Musharraf’s party was widely rejected by the people of Pakistan and saw the reelection of Sharif with the help of coalition with Asif Ali Zardari. Hence began the impeachment proceedings against Musharraf, leading him to announce his resignation on August 18. Musharraf tried to return to electoral politics in March 2013 elections, His attempts to contest from his newly formed All Pakistan Muslim League were thwarted due to several political and legal obstacles, leading to his disqualification. He was later permitted to move to Dubai to seek medical assistance in 2016, where he remains till date to seek treatment for amyloidosis.

Pervez Musharraf: An Army general, dictator and convict

Pervez Musharraf dismisses his death sentence by Pakistan court, but it all depends on Imran Khan.

Gravitas: Will Pervez Musharraf be hanged? All eyes on Imran Khan

Pervez Musharraf's death sentence has sparked a constitutional crisis in Pakistan. The judiciary has tried to hold the former dictator accountable for his actions. The Pak army, together with Imran Khan's government seems hell-bent on discrediting the court and suspending the sentence.

The Pakistan court's order directed the authorities to drag Musharraf's corpse to d-chowk in Islamabad, where it would hang for 3 days. The judgment, and most importantly the wording has spooked the Pakistani army, who claim the judgment to be beyond culture &amp; religion and question the humanitarian aspect of the judgement.

Imran Khan's government has gone a step ahead, with the Minister of Law &amp; justice questioning the mental capacity and well-being of the judge who passed the verdict.&nbsp;

The Minister of Information &amp; Broadcasting - Fawad Ahmed Chaudhry - has also spoken on the issue and feels that the court should have shown more restraint in its judgment.

The Pakistani Minister of Railways believes that the judgement will only go on to widen the already over-stretched gap that exists between the military's relations with the civilian population.

By openly shaming judges and supporting a former dictator, Imran Khan has given credibility to calls by the opposition who openly claim the PM to be a 'selected' candidate of the army.

The Pakistan Bar Council has also come out with its statement which slammed the army for its comments, calling it a contempt of court and criticising the federal government for lending support to the army.

Pervez Musharraf's death sentence has sparked a constitutional crisis in Pakistan. The judiciary has tried to hold the former dictator accountable for his actions.

Pervez Musharraf's death sentence has sparked a constitutional crisis in Pakistan. The judiciary has tried to hold the former dictator accountable for his actions. The Pak army, together with Imran Khan's government seems hell-bent on discrediting the court and suspending the sentence. The Pakistan court's order directed the authorities to drag Musharraf's corpse to d-chowk in Islamabad, where it would hang for 3 days. The judgment, and most importantly the wording has spooked the Pakistani army, who claim the judgment to be beyond culture & religion and question the humanitarian aspect of the judgement. Imran Khan's government has gone a step ahead, with the Minister of Law & justice questioning the mental capacity and well-being of the judge who passed the verdict. The Minister of Information & Broadcasting - Fawad Ahmed Chaudhry - has also spoken on the issue and feels that the court should have shown more restraint in its judgment. The Pakistani Minister of Railways believes that the judgement will only go on to widen the already over-stretched gap that exists between the military's relations with the civilian population. By openly shaming judges and supporting a former dictator, Imran Khan has given credibility to calls by the opposition who openly claim the PM to be a 'selected' candidate of the army. The Pakistan Bar Council has also come out with its statement which slammed the army for its comments, calling it a contempt of court and criticising the federal government for lending support to the army.

Death penalty for Pervez Musharraf: State of chaos in Pakistan

In its detailed verdict, Pakistan's Special Court has said that in case former <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-former-dictator-musharraf-calls-death-sentence-a-personal-vendetta-269111">Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf</a> passes away before the execution of his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pervez-musharraf-handed-death-sentence-in-high-treason-case-268641">death sentence</a> then his body should be dragged to Islamabad's D-Chowk and hanged there, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

The Court stated the same in its 167-page-long detailed verdict.&nbsp;

The Special Court pronounced a death sentence to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pervez-musharraf-an-army-general-dictator-and-convict-268670">Musharraf</a> on Tuesday in a high treason case.&nbsp;

"We direct the law enforcement agencies to strive their level best to apprehend the fugitive/convict and to ensure that the punishment is inflicted as per law and if found dead, his corpse is dragged to the D-Chowk, Islamabad, Pakistan and be hanged for 03 days," the verdict as cited by Pakistan Today stated.&nbsp;

A three-member bench headed by Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth had found Musharraf guilty under Article 6 of the Constitution. Musharraf had suspended the Constitution and imposed an emergency rule in Pakistan in the year 2007.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Musharraf has called the High Court’s decision to sentence him to death a “personal vendetta”.&nbsp;

In a video released late night on Wednesday, Musharraf was seen speaking from his hospital bed in Dubai. He stated that the allegations against him were politically motivated.

The former Pakistan President, who was tried and sentenced in absentia, called the ruling "an unprecedented case wherein neither the defendant nor his lawyer was allowed to defend the case".&nbsp;

In its detailed verdict, Pakistan's Special Court has said that in case former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf passes away before the execution of his death sentence then his body should be dragged to Islamabad's D-Chowk and hanged there, news agency ANI reported.

In its detailed verdict, Pakistan's Special Court has said that in case former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf passes away before the execution of his death sentence then his body should be dragged to Islamabad's D-Chowk and hanged there, news agency ANI reported. The Court stated the same in its 167-page-long detailed verdict. The Special Court pronounced a death sentence to Musharraf on Tuesday in a high treason case. "We direct the law enforcement agencies to strive their level best to apprehend the fugitive/convict and to ensure that the punishment is inflicted as per law and if found dead, his corpse is dragged to the D-Chowk, Islamabad, Pakistan and be hanged for 03 days," the verdict as cited by Pakistan Today stated. A three-member bench headed by Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth had found Musharraf guilty under Article 6 of the Constitution. Musharraf had suspended the Constitution and imposed an emergency rule in Pakistan in the year 2007. Meanwhile, Musharraf has called the High Court’s decision to sentence him to death a “personal vendetta”. In a video released late night on Wednesday, Musharraf was seen speaking from his hospital bed in Dubai. He stated that the allegations against him were politically motivated. The former Pakistan President, who was tried and sentenced in absentia, called the ruling "an unprecedented case wherein neither the defendant nor his lawyer was allowed to defend the case".

Musharraf's body to be hanged at Islamabad's D-Chowk if he dies before execution: Pak court's verdict

Two judgments by the Pakistan judiciary – one questioning the extension of tenure of the incumbent army chief and the other awarding death sentence to former chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/from-us-perspective-pervez-musharraf-gets-a-well-earned-sentence-268959">Pervez Musharraf</a> for high treason- have attracted considerable attention because of being utterly out of character for the army dominated Pakistani polity. Do they signal the advent of a new dawn in Pakistan?&nbsp;

PM Imran Khan’s decision to grant the second tenure of three years to army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa was not unprecedented. Aside from the self- granted extensions of their tenures by army chiefs turned military dictators, the PPP government had given the second tenure of three years to the then army chief, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in 2010. However, three days before Bajwa was to embark upon his new tenure, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa took up a petition challenging his continuation in office and suspended the government notification issued for the purpose. 
 
During the tense three-day hearing, the judges questioned the government decision both on account of the utterly inept procedural handling of the matter and the absence of any legal or constitutional basis for it. At the end, in order not to precipitate a crisis, they ruled that Bajwa could continue in his post for a further period of six months and his continuation thereafter would depend upon adoption of suitable legislation by the Parliament concerning the appointment and terms and conditions of service of the Chief of Army Staff. &nbsp;

Subsequently, a special court, constituted by the Supreme Court and comprising a judge each of the Lahore, Peshawar and Sindh High Courts, has given a 2-1 verdict, awarding death sentence for high treason to the former military dictator Parvez Musharraf for his action in declaring an emergency and suspending the constitution in early November 2007, when he was President and Chief of Army Staff. The court relied on Article 6 of the Pakistan Constitution that stipulates that any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance the Constitution by force or unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.&nbsp;

The treason case was filed by the Nawaz Sharif government in November 2013 and the Supreme Court agreed to set up a special court to try Musharraf. Within a few months, the then army chief Raheel Sharif indicated that he was against the trial and said that the army “Would preserve its own dignity and institutional pride.” With the army backing him, Musharraf dodged the trial and was able to secure an order from the Supreme Court in March 2016 to go abroad for medical treatment and has not returned to Pakistan since then, even though the special court gave him six opportunities to make his statement. 
 
Finally, when the court decided to hear the case on a daily basis in October 2019, Imran Khan’s government sacked the entire prosecution team! With no further inputs coming from the prosecution or Pervez Musharraf’s defence lawyers, the special court concluded its proceedings on November 19 and said that it would give its verdict on November 28. Caught by surprise, Musharraf’s defence team challenged the special court’s decision to announce its verdict in the Lahore High Court.&nbsp;

Strangely, the government also approached the Islamabad High Court to restrain the special court from going ahead with its verdict. The High Court granted the request and directed the special court to listen to all the parties and complete all legal formalities before pronouncing its judgement. It also directed the government to appoint a prosecutor by December 5. The special court stated that it was not bound by the decision of the Islamabad High Court. 
 
When it convened on December 17, both Pervez Musharraf’s lawyer and the prosecution tried to stall the proceedings, the former by saying that Musharraf must be given an opportunity to make a statement before the court and the latter making an attempt to widen the scope of the trial by bringing in charges against some alleged collaborators of Musharraf, including former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. The special court rejected these pleas, ruling that Pervez Musharraf had foregone repeated opportunities to make his statement and the Supreme Court had decided that the case be proceeded with against Musharraf only. It then pronounced its split verdict to sentence Musharraf to death. &nbsp;

The Pakistani judiciary has, with a few exceptions, acted as a handmaiden of the army and helped them in subverting democratic processes. A recent example is its collaboration with the selective accountability process against Nawaz Sharif to rule him out of the 2018 election. Facilitation of his departure for medical treatment abroad by the judiciary seems to be the result of a nod from the army, keen to see him leave the country, in return for an end to his and his daughter’s strident campaign against them. 
 
The last time the judiciary mounted a challenge to the army was under the maverick Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who reopened the case of financing of the Nawaz Sharif led Islamic Jamhoori Ittehad by the ISI during the 1990 election to defeat Benazir Bhutto, hauled up a few retired generals on corruption charges and took up cases of forced disappearances in Baluchistan and the tribal areas. However, in the face of the resistance of Pakistan army, the court did not make much headway. 
 
Why Chief Justice Khosa, who is to retire later this month, took up the case of Bajwa’s extension has been a matter of speculation. Some observers ascribe it to his annoyance at Imran Khan’s criticism of the judiciary in letting Nawaz Sharif go abroad without the stringent conditions imposed by his government and the consequent desire to get even with the Prime Minister by showing the functioning of his government in a poor light in the matter of army chief’s extension. Others believe that the court might have been encouraged by senior army officers, whose promotion prospects would be marred by the continuation of Bajwa in his post. As for the special court, one of its members, Chief Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth of the Peshawar High Court has had a record of bold decisions, setting aside trials by military courts.&nbsp;

What do the above judgments mean for Pakistan’s democracy? &nbsp;

The continuation of Bajwa as army chief beyond the six months period approved by the Supreme Court would be more a function of his control over his senior army commanders than of the political dynamics within the Parliament. Should he be able to ensure cohesion within the army’s senior ranks, politicians in the government and opposition could be expected to bend over backwards to provide the legislation required for his continuation. The army and Imran Khan government have already rallied against the death sentence awarded to Musharraf. The army spokesperson has issued a statement that the special court judgment has been received by the rank and file of Pakistan armed forces “With a lot of pain and anguish”. 
 
He adds that Pervez Musharraf, who served Pakistan&nbsp;for over 40 years and fought wars for its defence “can surely not be a traitor” and complains that due legal process seems to have been ignored “including constitution of special court, denial of fundamental right of self-defence, undertaking individual-specific proceedings and concluding the case in haste.” He expresses the expectation of armed forces that justice would be dispensed in line with Pakistan’s constitution. This plea for justice in keeping with the constitution for a man who blew to pieces all constitutional tenets sounds bizarre, to say the least! The army would go to any length to thwart the judgment. Though Musharraf’s successors have not resorted to the extreme steps against constitutional governance that he did, the army leadership has continued to act well beyond its remit in violation of constitutional norms, including interference in elections. Any judicial harm coming to Musharraf could, therefore, leave his successors vulnerable to similar judicial action. 
 
Musharraf’s lawyer has said that he would file an appeal in the Supreme Court. The government has expressed its intent to support Musharraf during the appeal process. With the possibility of reversal of the special court judgment by the Supreme Court and power of the President to grant pardon, should the apex court uphold the judgment and no likelihood of Musharraf returning to the country, the death sentence remains largely symbolic and it is deterrent effect uncertain.&nbsp;

Pakistan is nowhere close to redressal of its civil-military imbalance. However, even if, as expected, the army leadership manages to overcome the hurdles thrown up by the above judgments, its inability to prevent the judges concerned from pronouncing them is a reminder of a sizeable body of opinion in Pakistan that does not see eye to eye with the army’s ways of functioning. This opinion, which the army has managed to keep under subjugation through heavy-handedness, must gain in strength if Pakistan is ever to become a normal state. &nbsp; 
 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

Two judgments by the Pakistan judiciary – one questioning the extension of tenure of the incumbent army chief and the other awarding death sentence to former chief Pervez Musharraf for high treason- have attracted considerable attention because of being utterly out of character for the army dominated Pakistani polity.

Two judgments by the Pakistan judiciary – one questioning the extension of tenure of the incumbent army chief and the other awarding death sentence to former chief Pervez Musharraf for high treason- have attracted considerable attention because of being utterly out of character for the army dominated Pakistani polity. Do they signal the advent of a new dawn in Pakistan? PM Imran Khan’s decision to grant the second tenure of three years to army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa was not unprecedented. Aside from the self- granted extensions of their tenures by army chiefs turned military dictators, the PPP government had given the second tenure of three years to the then army chief, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in 2010. However, three days before Bajwa was to embark upon his new tenure, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa took up a petition challenging his continuation in office and suspended the government notification issued for the purpose. During the tense three-day hearing, the judges questioned the government decision both on account of the utterly inept procedural handling of the matter and the absence of any legal or constitutional basis for it. At the end, in order not to precipitate a crisis, they ruled that Bajwa could continue in his post for a further period of six months and his continuation thereafter would depend upon adoption of suitable legislation by the Parliament concerning the appointment and terms and conditions of service of the Chief of Army Staff. Subsequently, a special court, constituted by the Supreme Court and comprising a judge each of the Lahore, Peshawar and Sindh High Courts, has given a 2-1 verdict, awarding death sentence for high treason to the former military dictator Parvez Musharraf for his action in declaring an emergency and suspending the constitution in early November 2007, when he was President and Chief of Army Staff. The court relied on Article 6 of the Pakistan Constitution that stipulates that any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance the Constitution by force or unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason. The treason case was filed by the Nawaz Sharif government in November 2013 and the Supreme Court agreed to set up a special court to try Musharraf. Within a few months, the then army chief Raheel Sharif indicated that he was against the trial and said that the army “Would preserve its own dignity and institutional pride.” With the army backing him, Musharraf dodged the trial and was able to secure an order from the Supreme Court in March 2016 to go abroad for medical treatment and has not returned to Pakistan since then, even though the special court gave him six opportunities to make his statement. Finally, when the court decided to hear the case on a daily basis in October 2019, Imran Khan’s government sacked the entire prosecution team! With no further inputs coming from the prosecution or Pervez Musharraf’s defence lawyers, the special court concluded its proceedings on November 19 and said that it would give its verdict on November 28. Caught by surprise, Musharraf’s defence team challenged the special court’s decision to announce its verdict in the Lahore High Court. Strangely, the government also approached the Islamabad High Court to restrain the special court from going ahead with its verdict. The High Court granted the request and directed the special court to listen to all the parties and complete all legal formalities before pronouncing its judgement. It also directed the government to appoint a prosecutor by December 5. The special court stated that it was not bound by the decision of the Islamabad High Court. When it convened on December 17, both Pervez Musharraf’s lawyer and the prosecution tried to stall the proceedings, the former by saying that Musharraf must be given an opportunity to make a statement before the court and the latter making an attempt to widen the scope of the trial by bringing in charges against some alleged collaborators of Musharraf, including former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. The special court rejected these pleas, ruling that Pervez Musharraf had foregone repeated opportunities to make his statement and the Supreme Court had decided that the case be proceeded with against Musharraf only. It then pronounced its split verdict to sentence Musharraf to death. The Pakistani judiciary has, with a few exceptions, acted as a handmaiden of the army and helped them in subverting democratic processes. A recent example is its collaboration with the selective accountability process against Nawaz Sharif to rule him out of the 2018 election. Facilitation of his departure for medical treatment abroad by the judiciary seems to be the result of a nod from the army, keen to see him leave the country, in return for an end to his and his daughter’s strident campaign against them. The last time the judiciary mounted a challenge to the army was under the maverick Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who reopened the case of financing of the Nawaz Sharif led Islamic Jamhoori Ittehad by the ISI during the 1990 election to defeat Benazir Bhutto, hauled up a few retired generals on corruption charges and took up cases of forced disappearances in Baluchistan and the tribal areas. However, in the face of the resistance of Pakistan army, the court did not make much headway. Why Chief Justice Khosa, who is to retire later this month, took up the case of Bajwa’s extension has been a matter of speculation. Some observers ascribe it to his annoyance at Imran Khan’s criticism of the judiciary in letting Nawaz Sharif go abroad without the stringent conditions imposed by his government and the consequent desire to get even with the Prime Minister by showing the functioning of his government in a poor light in the matter of army chief’s extension. Others believe that the court might have been encouraged by senior army officers, whose promotion prospects would be marred by the continuation of Bajwa in his post. As for the special court, one of its members, Chief Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth of the Peshawar High Court has had a record of bold decisions, setting aside trials by military courts. What do the above judgments mean for Pakistan’s democracy? The continuation of Bajwa as army chief beyond the six months period approved by the Supreme Court would be more a function of his control over his senior army commanders than of the political dynamics within the Parliament. Should he be able to ensure cohesion within the army’s senior ranks, politicians in the government and opposition could be expected to bend over backwards to provide the legislation required for his continuation. The army and Imran Khan government have already rallied against the death sentence awarded to Musharraf. The army spokesperson has issued a statement that the special court judgment has been received by the rank and file of Pakistan armed forces “With a lot of pain and anguish”. He adds that Pervez Musharraf, who served Pakistan for over 40 years and fought wars for its defence “can surely not be a traitor” and complains that due legal process seems to have been ignored “including constitution of special court, denial of fundamental right of self-defence, undertaking individual-specific proceedings and concluding the case in haste.” He expresses the expectation of armed forces that justice would be dispensed in line with Pakistan’s constitution. This plea for justice in keeping with the constitution for a man who blew to pieces all constitutional tenets sounds bizarre, to say the least! The army would go to any length to thwart the judgment. Though Musharraf’s successors have not resorted to the extreme steps against constitutional governance that he did, the army leadership has continued to act well beyond its remit in violation of constitutional norms, including interference in elections. Any judicial harm coming to Musharraf could, therefore, leave his successors vulnerable to similar judicial action. Musharraf’s lawyer has said that he would file an appeal in the Supreme Court. The government has expressed its intent to support Musharraf during the appeal process. With the possibility of reversal of the special court judgment by the Supreme Court and power of the President to grant pardon, should the apex court uphold the judgment and no likelihood of Musharraf returning to the country, the death sentence remains largely symbolic and it is deterrent effect uncertain. Pakistan is nowhere close to redressal of its civil-military imbalance. However, even if, as expected, the army leadership manages to overcome the hurdles thrown up by the above judgments, its inability to prevent the judges concerned from pronouncing them is a reminder of a sizeable body of opinion in Pakistan that does not see eye to eye with the army’s ways of functioning. This opinion, which the army has managed to keep under subjugation through heavy-handedness, must gain in strength if Pakistan is ever to become a normal state. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Pervez Musharraf case: A new dawn in Pakistan?

The Special Court, which pronounced death sentence to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pervez-musharraf-handed-death-sentence-in-high-treason-case-268641">Pervez Musharraf </a>on Tuesday, has written in its 167-page detailed verdict that the body of the former military dictator would be dragged to and hanged at D-Chowk in Islamabad if he died before the execution of his death sentence.

For the first time in Pakistan's recent history, a special court, earlier this week, handed a death sentence to a former military general in a high treason court.

As per the detailed verdict, cited by Pakistan Today, "The then Corps Commanders Committee in addition to all other uniformed officers who were guarding him each and every time, with boots on, are equally and fully involved in the act and deeds of the accused person."

"As a necessary corollary to what has been observed, we find the accused guilty as per charge. The convict is hanged by his neck till he dies on each count as per charge," the verdict said.

"We direct the law enforcement agencies to strive their level best to apprehend the fugitive/convict and to ensure that the punishment is inflicted as per law and if found dead, his corpse is dragged to the D-Chowk, Islamabad, Pakistan and be hanged for 03 days," it added.

In the brief ruling announced on Tuesday, the three-member bench headed by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-in-a-setback-to-christian-community-peshawar-high-court-nationalises-edwardes-college-257628">Peshawar High Court</a> (PHC) Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth and comprised Justice Nazar Akbar of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sindh-high-court-chief-justices-son-kidnapped-879">Sindh High Court</a> (SHC) and Justice Shahid Karim of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lahore-high-court-accepts-hafiz-saaeds-application-challenging-his-arrest-in-terror-financing-case-254314">Lahore High Court</a> (LHC) had found Musharraf guilty under Article 6 of the Constitution.

Article 6 of the Constitution states: "Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or hold in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance the Constitution by use of force or show force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason."

The special court, earlier this month, had said that it would announce the verdict in the case on December 17. The court on November 19 concluded the trial proceedings in the case against Musharraf for declaring a state emergency on November 3, 2007.

The court was scheduled to announce the verdict on November 28 on the basis of the available record but the Islamabad High Court halted the verdict announcement after

Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government filed a petition against the announcement. 
Since 2016, Musharraf has been living in a self-imposed exile in Dubai for "seeking medical treatment" and has not returned to the country since. He is wanted by authorities in connection to the case.

The high treason trial of the former leader has been pending since December 2013 when he was booked in the case.

He was indicted on March 31, 2014, and the prosecution had tabled the entire evidence before the special court in September the same year.

However, due to litigation at appellate forums, Musharraf's trial lingered on and he left Pakistan in March 2016 "to seek medical treatment."

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/ex-pakistan-president-zardari-secures-interim-bail-in-6-corruption-cases-219102"> former Pakistan President</a> was then declared an absconder as he failed to appear in court despite repeated summons and the court issued a directive to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to arrest him.

The Special Court, which pronounced death sentence to Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday, has written in its 167-page detailed verdict that the body of the former military dictator would be dragged to and hanged at D-Chowk in Islamabad if he died before the execution of his death sentence.

The Special Court, which pronounced death sentence to Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday, has written in its 167-page detailed verdict that the body of the former military dictator would be dragged to and hanged at D-Chowk in Islamabad if he died before the execution of his death sentence. For the first time in Pakistan's recent history, a special court, earlier this week, handed a death sentence to a former military general in a high treason court. As per the detailed verdict, cited by Pakistan Today, "The then Corps Commanders Committee in addition to all other uniformed officers who were guarding him each and every time, with boots on, are equally and fully involved in the act and deeds of the accused person." "As a necessary corollary to what has been observed, we find the accused guilty as per charge. The convict is hanged by his neck till he dies on each count as per charge," the verdict said. "We direct the law enforcement agencies to strive their level best to apprehend the fugitive/convict and to ensure that the punishment is inflicted as per law and if found dead, his corpse is dragged to the D-Chowk, Islamabad, Pakistan and be hanged for 03 days," it added. In the brief ruling announced on Tuesday, the three-member bench headed by Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth and comprised Justice Nazar Akbar of the Sindh High Court (SHC) and Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court (LHC) had found Musharraf guilty under Article 6 of the Constitution. Article 6 of the Constitution states: "Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or hold in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance the Constitution by use of force or show force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason." The special court, earlier this month, had said that it would announce the verdict in the case on December 17. The court on November 19 concluded the trial proceedings in the case against Musharraf for declaring a state emergency on November 3, 2007. The court was scheduled to announce the verdict on November 28 on the basis of the available record but the Islamabad High Court halted the verdict announcement after Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government filed a petition against the announcement. Since 2016, Musharraf has been living in a self-imposed exile in Dubai for "seeking medical treatment" and has not returned to the country since. He is wanted by authorities in connection to the case. The high treason trial of the former leader has been pending since December 2013 when he was booked in the case. He was indicted on March 31, 2014, and the prosecution had tabled the entire evidence before the special court in September the same year. However, due to litigation at appellate forums, Musharraf's trial lingered on and he left Pakistan in March 2016 "to seek medical treatment." The former Pakistan President was then declared an absconder as he failed to appear in court despite repeated summons and the court issued a directive to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to arrest him.

Musharraf's body to be hanged at Islamabad's D-Chowk for 3 days if dies before execution: Verdict

Encapsulating The Legacy Of Former Pakistan President & Military Dictator Pervez Musharraf Pakistan's army chief during Kargil war, the military dictator who toppled Nawaz Sharif's government, an ally of the U.S. in the war on terror & a President who attempted peace with India, here's the story of General Pervez Musharraf. #Gravitas #Pakistan #Pervez Musharraf

Gravitas: The Story Of General Pervez Musharraf & His Troubled Legacy

India spoke at Global Refugee Forum in Geneva. Watch what India said at the Forum.

India speaks at Global Refugee Forum in Geneva

Since independence, there has been no more accurate barometer of the malfeasance of Pakistan’s government or the volatility of its political system than the frequent fate of the country’s leaders – assassination, execution, prison or disgrace.

Such is the fate of Pakistan’s former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, who was sentenced to death in absentia for treason over his 2007 suspension of the constitution in 2007 when he declared emergency rule in a move intended to extend his tenure. He resigned in 2008 to avoid impeachment.

The significance of the sentence is questionable and it is unlikely that the sentence will be carried out. Although Musharraf was formerly charged with treason in 2014, he was allowed to leave Pakistan in 2016 and is now living in Dubai.

It is indeed ironic that Musharraf, who initiated Pakistan’s duplicity against the US at the start of the Afghanistan war and worked in tandem with Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence agency (ISI), sought US support in 2018 to regain power in Pakistan by telling American lawmakers he was "ashamed" of the ISI, especially by being negligent about knowing the location of Al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden inside Pakistan.

Just four days after 9/11, on September 15, 2001, Musharraf held a meeting with ISI Director Lt. General Mahmood Ahmed, Lt. General Muzaffar Usmani, Lt. General Jamshaid Gulzar Kiani, and Lt. General Mohammed Aziz Khan. The military officers argued that Pakistan should not help the US at all in its war against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Mahmood stated, “Let the US do its dirty work. Its enemies are our friends.” 
 
Musharraf countered that publicly agreeing with the US would lead to billions of dollars in aid and the lifting of sanctions against Pakistan due to its illicit nuclear activities.

On September 19, 2001, Musharraf still failed to condemn the 9/11 attacks, the Taliban or Al-Qaeda during an important televised speech, implying that Pakistan’s alliance with the US was only a temporary and opportunistic necessity. He said, “I have done everything for Afghanistan and the Taliban when the whole world was against them. We are trying our best to come out of this critical situation without any damage to them.”

Presumably with Musharraf’s approval, Pakistan’s ISI would continue to supply the Taliban in Afghanistan with fuel, weapons, and even military advisers, until at least November 2001.

Prior to the October 7, 2001 US attack on Afghanistan, Pakistan’s ISI Director Mahmood continued to meet with Taliban leader Mullah Omar and told him how to resist the US and not to hand over Osama bin Laden.

In addition, according to journalist Kathy Gannon, Mahmood, having just come from meetings with top officials in the US, gave Mullah Omar information about the likely next move by the Americans. By then, Mahmood knew there weren’t going to be a lot of US soldiers on the ground. He warned Mullah Omar that the Americans would be relying heavily on aerial bombardment and on the Northern Alliance. Mahmood gave additional information on targets likely to be hit, such as command and control systems and anti-aircraft defence emplacements and what types of weapons the US would use against those targets.

The ISI informed Musharraf that the Taliban would hold out at least until the spring of 2002, and then would mount a guerrilla war. Encouraged, Musharraf allowed the ISI to continue to supply the Taliban on a daily basis.

Also prior to the US attack, so many fuel tankers and supply trucks were crossing the Pakistan-Afghan border in Chaman, Balochistan, regular traffic was shut down to allow ISI supplies through to the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar, where Pakistani military advisors remained until November 2001.

A December 8, 2001 New York Times article described ISI-sponsored convoys of rifles, ammunition, and rocket-propelled grenade launchers for Taliban fighters crossing the Khyber Pass border from Pakistan into Afghanistan between October 8 and 12, just after US bombing of Afghanistan began.

Jalaluddin Haqqani (Haqqani Network), who controlled the Khost region of eastern Afghanistan where most of Laden’s training camps and supporters were, made a secret trip to Pakistan, where ISI Director Mahmood advised him to hold out and not defect, promising that he will have help.

The same pattern of Pakistani duplicitous behaviour, initiated by Musharraf, continues to this day. No American should shed a tear for the fate of the father of that duplicity. 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Since independence, there has been no more accurate barometer of the malfeasance of Pakistan’s government or the volatility of its political system than the frequent fate of the country’s leaders – assassination, execution, prison or disgrace.

Since independence, there has been no more accurate barometer of the malfeasance of Pakistan’s government or the volatility of its political system than the frequent fate of the country’s leaders – assassination, execution, prison or disgrace. Such is the fate of Pakistan’s former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, who was sentenced to death in absentia for treason over his 2007 suspension of the constitution in 2007 when he declared emergency rule in a move intended to extend his tenure. He resigned in 2008 to avoid impeachment. The significance of the sentence is questionable and it is unlikely that the sentence will be carried out. Although Musharraf was formerly charged with treason in 2014, he was allowed to leave Pakistan in 2016 and is now living in Dubai. It is indeed ironic that Musharraf, who initiated Pakistan’s duplicity against the US at the start of the Afghanistan war and worked in tandem with Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence agency (ISI), sought US support in 2018 to regain power in Pakistan by telling American lawmakers he was "ashamed" of the ISI, especially by being negligent about knowing the location of Al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden inside Pakistan. Just four days after 9/11, on September 15, 2001, Musharraf held a meeting with ISI Director Lt. General Mahmood Ahmed, Lt. General Muzaffar Usmani, Lt. General Jamshaid Gulzar Kiani, and Lt. General Mohammed Aziz Khan. The military officers argued that Pakistan should not help the US at all in its war against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Mahmood stated, “Let the US do its dirty work. Its enemies are our friends.” Musharraf countered that publicly agreeing with the US would lead to billions of dollars in aid and the lifting of sanctions against Pakistan due to its illicit nuclear activities. On September 19, 2001, Musharraf still failed to condemn the 9/11 attacks, the Taliban or Al-Qaeda during an important televised speech, implying that Pakistan’s alliance with the US was only a temporary and opportunistic necessity. He said, “I have done everything for Afghanistan and the Taliban when the whole world was against them. We are trying our best to come out of this critical situation without any damage to them.” Presumably with Musharraf’s approval, Pakistan’s ISI would continue to supply the Taliban in Afghanistan with fuel, weapons, and even military advisers, until at least November 2001. Prior to the October 7, 2001 US attack on Afghanistan, Pakistan’s ISI Director Mahmood continued to meet with Taliban leader Mullah Omar and told him how to resist the US and not to hand over Osama bin Laden. In addition, according to journalist Kathy Gannon, Mahmood, having just come from meetings with top officials in the US, gave Mullah Omar information about the likely next move by the Americans. By then, Mahmood knew there weren’t going to be a lot of US soldiers on the ground. He warned Mullah Omar that the Americans would be relying heavily on aerial bombardment and on the Northern Alliance. Mahmood gave additional information on targets likely to be hit, such as command and control systems and anti-aircraft defence emplacements and what types of weapons the US would use against those targets. The ISI informed Musharraf that the Taliban would hold out at least until the spring of 2002, and then would mount a guerrilla war. Encouraged, Musharraf allowed the ISI to continue to supply the Taliban on a daily basis. Also prior to the US attack, so many fuel tankers and supply trucks were crossing the Pakistan-Afghan border in Chaman, Balochistan, regular traffic was shut down to allow ISI supplies through to the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar, where Pakistani military advisors remained until November 2001. A December 8, 2001 New York Times article described ISI-sponsored convoys of rifles, ammunition, and rocket-propelled grenade launchers for Taliban fighters crossing the Khyber Pass border from Pakistan into Afghanistan between October 8 and 12, just after US bombing of Afghanistan began. Jalaluddin Haqqani (Haqqani Network), who controlled the Khost region of eastern Afghanistan where most of Laden’s training camps and supporters were, made a secret trip to Pakistan, where ISI Director Mahmood advised him to hold out and not defect, promising that he will have help. The same pattern of Pakistani duplicitous behaviour, initiated by Musharraf, continues to this day. No American should shed a tear for the fate of the father of that duplicity. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

From US perspective, Pervez Musharraf gets a well-earned sentence

Pakistan Special Court Charges Former Military Dictator Pervez Musharraf With Treason, Awards Death Penalty Never before has a military dictator faced the music for his actions in Pakistan. #Pakistan #Pervez Musharraf #Pervez Musharrafjail

Gravitas: Death Sentence For Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf

Pervez Musharraf ruled the Pakistan from 1999 to 2008. So, Former PML-N Govt filed this case of sedition against Former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf. After hearings, Pak's apex court sentenced Musharraf to death in punishment. Musharraf is presently in a hospital of Dubai with which country Pak has no extradition treaty itself. #PervezMusharraf #Pakistan #PakConstitution

Pakistan: Musharraf has right to appeal within 30 days, currently in a Dubai hospital

Pak's former PML-N govt filed the case of sedition against Former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf. After hearings, Pak's apex court sentenced Musharraf to death in punishment. Musharraf is presently in a hospital of Dubai with which country Pak has no extradition treaty itself. WION spoke to some experts for more on this. Let's listen in... #PervezMusharraf #Pakistan #PakConstitution

Musharraf treason case: Can Pak move ahead as it doesn't have 'extradition treaty' with UAE?

Pervez Musharraf ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008. Former PML-N Govt filed the case of sedition against the Former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf. After hearings, Pak's apex court sentenced Musharraf to death in punishment. Musharraf is presently in a hospital of Dubai with which Pakistan has no extradition treaty . #PervezMusharraf #Pakistan #Deathsentence

Pakistan: Pervez Musharraf sentenced to death in Dec 2013 'case of sedition'

Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf was on Tuesday handed over death sentence following his conviction in high treason. A special court sentenced Musharraf to death for abrogating the Pakistan constitution.

Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf was on Tuesday handed over death sentence following his conviction in high treason. A special court sentenced Musharraf to death for abrogating the Pakistan constitution. The case has been pending since December 2013. Watch: Musharraf, who is currently in a hospital in Dubai, has the right to appeal in 30 days against the sentence. He was booked in the treason case in December 2013. Musharraf was indicted on March 31, 2014, and the prosecution had tabled the entire evidence before the special court in September the same year. However, due to litigation at appellate forums, the trial of the former military dictator lingered on and he left Pakistan in March 2016. The sentencing comes a day after the Lahore High Court issued a notice to the federal government on Musharraf's plea urging it to stay the high treason case proceedings pending before a special court in Islamabad. Musharraf in his application asked the court to declare the proceedings pending before the special court and all actions against him - from initiation of the high treason complaint to the appointment of the prosecutor and constitution of the trial court - as unconstitutional.

Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf handed death sentence in high treason case  

Former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf has been sentenced to death by Pakistan's court for abrogating the Constitution of Pakistan. Presently, Musharraf is in a Dubai hospital. This case was lodged by the earlier Pak govt in 2013. #PervezMusharraf #Pakistan #PakConstitution

Pak Ex-President Musharraf sentenced to death for Pak Constitution abrogation

A special court here on Thursday said it will pronounce on December 17 the verdict in the high treason case against former Pakistan president General (retd) <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pervez-musharraf-approaches-hc-as-verdict-on-high-treason-case-nears-264139">Pervez Musharraf</a> after hearing the arguments of the government's new prosecution team, according to Pakistani media reports.

Musharraf, who was admitted to Dubai's American Hospital on Monday, due to blood pressure issue and cardiac problem, alleged in a video message that the high treason matter against him is "baseless" and asserted that justice was not being served as his lawyer was not being heard in the matter.

Since 2016, Musharraf has been living in a self-imposed exile in Dubai for "seeking medical treatment" and has not returned to the country since. He is wanted by authorities in connection to the high treason case filed against him.

On November 27, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-islamabad-high-court-stops-announcement-of-verdict-in-musharrafs-high-treason-case-264929">Islamabad High Court</a> (IHC) stopped the special court from announcing the verdict in the matter. The order came before a special court was scheduled to announce the verdict on the basis of the available record.

The IHC was hearing a petition filed by the Pakistan government seeking an adjournment of the verdict's announcement. A similar petition was also filed by Musharraf in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lahore-high-court-accepts-hafiz-saaeds-application-challenging-his-arrest-in-terror-financing-case-254314">Lahore High Court</a>.

The court had also directed the government to notify a new prosecutor or a team of prosecution in the treason case by December 5. It also asked the special court to fix a date "for affording a reasonable opportunity of hearing" to the notified prosecutor or prosecution team as well as the counsel appointed for Musharraf.

The special court on November 19 concluded the trial proceedings in the high treason case against Musharraf for declaring a state of emergency on November 3, 2007, by suspending the Pakistan Constitution. The trial of the former leader has been pending since December 2013 when he was booked in the case.

Musharraf was indicted on March 31, 2014, and the prosecution had tabled the entire evidence before the special court in September the same year. However, due to litigation at appellate forums, the trial of the former president lingered on and he left Pakistan in March 2016 "to seek medical treatment."

The retired general was that year declared an absconder as he failed to appear before the court despite repeated summons and court directives issued to the Federal Investigation Agency to arrest him.

A special court here on Thursday said it will pronounce on December 17 the verdict in the high treason case against former Pakistan president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf after hearing the arguments of the government's new prosecution team, according to Pakistani media reports.

A special court here on Thursday said it will pronounce on December 17 the verdict in the high treason case against former Pakistan president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf after hearing the arguments of the government's new prosecution team, according to Pakistani media reports. Musharraf, who was admitted to Dubai's American Hospital on Monday, due to blood pressure issue and cardiac problem, alleged in a video message that the high treason matter against him is "baseless" and asserted that justice was not being served as his lawyer was not being heard in the matter. Since 2016, Musharraf has been living in a self-imposed exile in Dubai for "seeking medical treatment" and has not returned to the country since. He is wanted by authorities in connection to the high treason case filed against him. On November 27, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) stopped the special court from announcing the verdict in the matter. The order came before a special court was scheduled to announce the verdict on the basis of the available record. The IHC was hearing a petition filed by the Pakistan government seeking an adjournment of the verdict's announcement. A similar petition was also filed by Musharraf in the Lahore High Court. The court had also directed the government to notify a new prosecutor or a team of prosecution in the treason case by December 5. It also asked the special court to fix a date "for affording a reasonable opportunity of hearing" to the notified prosecutor or prosecution team as well as the counsel appointed for Musharraf. The special court on November 19 concluded the trial proceedings in the high treason case against Musharraf for declaring a state of emergency on November 3, 2007, by suspending the Pakistan Constitution. The trial of the former leader has been pending since December 2013 when he was booked in the case. Musharraf was indicted on March 31, 2014, and the prosecution had tabled the entire evidence before the special court in September the same year. However, due to litigation at appellate forums, the trial of the former president lingered on and he left Pakistan in March 2016 "to seek medical treatment." The retired general was that year declared an absconder as he failed to appear before the court despite repeated summons and court directives issued to the Federal Investigation Agency to arrest him.

Verdict in Musharraf high treason case to be announced on December 17

Former military dictator and retired four-star general of the Pakistan Army Pervez Musharraf admitted to hospital in Dubai on Monday.

Musharraf is suffering from the heart and blood pressure-related complications.

Since 2016, former President of Pakistan Musharraf living in a self-imposed exile in Dubai for "seeking medical treatment"&nbsp;has not returned to the country. He is wanted by authorities in connection to the high treason case filed against him.

Last month, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) stopped the special court from announcing the verdict in the matter. The order came before a special court was scheduled to announce the verdict on the basis of the available record.

The IHC was hearing a petition filed by the Pakistan government seeking an adjournment of the verdict's announcement. A similar petition was also filed by Musharraf in the Lahore High Court.

The court has also directed the government to notify a new prosecutor or a team of prosecution in the treason case by December 5. It has also asked the special court to fix a date "for affording a reasonable opportunity of hearing" to the notified prosecutor or prosecution team as well as the counsel appointed for Musharraf.

The special court on November 19 concluded the trial proceedings in the high treason case against Musharraf for declaring a state emergency on November 3, 2007. The trial of the former leader has been pending since December 2013 when he was booked in the case.

Musharraf was indicted on March 31, 2014, and the prosecution had tabled the entire evidence before the special court in September the same year. However, due to litigation at appellate forums, the trial of the former president lingered on and he left Pakistan in March 2016 "to seek medical treatment."

The retired general was that year declared an absconder as he failed to appear before the court despite repeated summons and court directives issued to the Federal Investigation Agency to arrest him.

(With inputs from ANI)

Former military dictator and retired four-star general of the Pakistan Army Pervez Musharraf admitted to hospital in Dubai on Monday. Musharraf is suffering from the heart and blood pressure-related complications.

Former military dictator and retired four-star general of the Pakistan Army Pervez Musharraf admitted to hospital in Dubai on Monday. Musharraf is suffering from the heart and blood pressure-related complications. Since 2016, former President of Pakistan Musharraf living in a self-imposed exile in Dubai for "seeking medical treatment" has not returned to the country. He is wanted by authorities in connection to the high treason case filed against him. Last month, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) stopped the special court from announcing the verdict in the matter. The order came before a special court was scheduled to announce the verdict on the basis of the available record. The IHC was hearing a petition filed by the Pakistan government seeking an adjournment of the verdict's announcement. A similar petition was also filed by Musharraf in the Lahore High Court. The court has also directed the government to notify a new prosecutor or a team of prosecution in the treason case by December 5. It has also asked the special court to fix a date "for affording a reasonable opportunity of hearing" to the notified prosecutor or prosecution team as well as the counsel appointed for Musharraf. The special court on November 19 concluded the trial proceedings in the high treason case against Musharraf for declaring a state emergency on November 3, 2007. The trial of the former leader has been pending since December 2013 when he was booked in the case. Musharraf was indicted on March 31, 2014, and the prosecution had tabled the entire evidence before the special court in September the same year. However, due to litigation at appellate forums, the trial of the former president lingered on and he left Pakistan in March 2016 "to seek medical treatment." The retired general was that year declared an absconder as he failed to appear before the court despite repeated summons and court directives issued to the Federal Investigation Agency to arrest him. (With inputs from ANI)

Former Military Dictator Pervez Musharraf admitted to hospital in Dubai

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