Pervez Musharraf Sentenced to Death in a Treason Case

A Pakistani court in the high profile treason case has sentenced Former President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf to death. 

 

The former military dictator was sentenced to death by a 3 member bench of a special court in an on going treason case against him, where he is accused of suspending the constitution of the country and imposing emergency rule in November 2007, which is a punishable offence, for which he was first indicted in the year 2014.

 

Since March 2016, 76-year-old Pervez Musharraf has been living in exile in Dubai after he left Pakistan for medical treatment and has not returned to Pakistan ever since, citing health and threat to his security. He spends most of his time between Dubai and London. In March this year he was admitted in a hospital in Dubai for serious ailment.

 

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif first initiated the treason case against him and the trial was pending since 2013. The 2007 emergency in Pakistan had sparked widespread protests against Pervez Musharraf, which ultimately led to his resignation in the face of an impeachment proceeding.

 

Musharraf’s lawyer Akhtar Shah has said, “Musharraf wanted to record his statement and is ready to visit Pakistan but he wanted foolproof security which was not yet provided. He is still in Dubai and sick”.

The former President and Army Chief of Pakistan had also challenged the verdict of the special court and sought suspension of the trial in his absence. He asked the High Court of Lahore to suspend the special court’s verdict until he is healthy enough to appear before the court.

 

The special court has also declared former President of Pakistan, an absconder after he failed to appear in court on December 5th, despite repeated summons sent by the court. The court also issued a directive to the country’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to arrest him as early as possible.

 

Pervez Musharraf led Pakistani army against India but suffered defeat badly in the Kargil War. He later became a key US ally in its “war against terror”, for which he become the target of separatist forces, he escaped at least three Al-Qaeda assassination attempts during his nine years in office.

 

Though his rule never faced any serious challenges until he tried to sack the chief justice of the country in March 2007, which sparked nationwide protests and months of shutdown, which forced him to the impose a state of emergency in the country.