dawn/ann
ISLAMABAD, 24 JUNE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif dropped the strongest hint today to file a written request before the Supreme Court to try former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf for treason under Article 6 of the constitution.
Addressing the National Assembly, Mr Sharif said that the former president had committed treason by abrogating the constitution and he should be tried under the law.
(Mr Musharraf’s actions came under the purview of “high treason”, Mr Sharif told parliament.
“Musharraf violated the constitution twice. He overthrew an elected government in 1999 and put everything into jeopardy. He sacked judges and imprisoned them,” said Mr Sharif.
The 69-year-old former army chief, currently under house arrest, should face trial in the SC and answer for his actions, Sharif said. If convicted, Mr Musharraf could face a possible death sentence or life imprisonment.
Mr Musharraf may become the first dictator in Pakistan’s history to face trial for high treason in the country that has witnessed three military coups in its 66-year history. Mr Musharraf had come to power in 1999 by deposing Sharif’s last government in a coup, pti adds).
Referring to Mr Musharraf’s decision to impose emergency rule in 2007, Mr Sharif said: “The federal government firmly subscribes to the view that the holding in abeyance of the constitution on 3 November 2007 constituted an act of high treason within the meaning of Article 6 of the constitution of Pakistan.”
Attorney General Munir A Malik submitted his response in the Supreme Court, stating that the procedure to try Mr Musharraf under Article 6 of the constitution has begun today.
Mr Sharif said, “Notwithstanding the fact that the Prime Minister has borne the brunt of Musharraf’s brazen coup, he wishes to assure both this august court and the people of Pakistan that he will act according to the highest standards of justice and follow the due process of law.”
Leader of Opposition Khurshid Shah welcomed the prime minister’s speech and said that the pictures of all past dictators should be removed from the parliament premises.
The Prime Minister is under oath to protect and defend the constitution and “it is implicit in this oath that his government ensures that persons guilty of acts under Article 6 are brought to justice”, he said.
Earlier, the apex court had asked the government to clarify its position on the petitions urging the court to try the former general under Article 6 of the constitution.
(Experts said the government could also face pressure from the powerful military, which would not like to see a former army chief being publicly humiliated. Under Pakistani law, a treason trial can be initiated only by the government, pti adds).