Musharraf arrested over 2007 decree

Officials said the move was necessary as a judicial magistrate had sent Musharraf on 'transit remand' following his arrest this morning

Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was arrested in Islamabad today, a day after fleeing a court where judges had revoked a bail agreement on charges relating to his 2007 declaration of emergency rule. He is the first ex-army chief to face such action.

Police officials arrested the 69-year-old former military strongman this morning and took him to the court of judicial magistrate Muhammad Abbas Shah.

After hearing arguments by Musharraf's lawyer and the counsel of several persons who have filed petitions against him, the magistrate sent the former army chief on “transit remand” for two days.

The magistrate also directed police to produce Musharraf in an anti-terrorism court in two days as the Islamabad High Court had yesterday directed authorities to charge him under the Anti-Terrorism Act for his actions during the 2007 emergency.

Musharraf can appeal in the Supreme Court against the magistrate's order.

The arrest came a day after the Islamabad High Court revoked Musharraf's bail for not cooperating with police officials investigating a case registered against him for detaining 60 judges, including Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, during the emergency.

Footage on television showed Musharraf being led into the magistrate's small and dimly-lit office by dozens of policemen and paramilitary personnel.

Musharraf looked shaken and was wearing a waistcoat over a pathan suit. He was also seen emerging from the magistrate's office and heading for his car. Musharraf waited in his car for some time as the magistrate initially reserved his decision.

However, he was driven to his farmhouse by his security detail before the magistrate issued the order for his detention shortly after 9.15 am.

Musharraf returned to Pakistan in March after four years in self-imposed exile in a bid for a political comeback in May 11 elections. While his arrest may exacerbate tensions between the army and the judiciary, public pressure to put him on trial may force military leaders to remain silent, Islamabad-based analyst Talat Masood said.

“This outcome is probably acceptable for the army, which is in an awkward situation,” said Masood, a retired general. “If the army tries to protect him in any way, they will be heavily criticised.”

Political comeback
An election tribunal this week rejected his bid to run for a parliamentary seat in the election. The risk of unrest over Musharraf’s arrest is low because his All Pakistan Muslim League doesn’t have the popularity to organise major protests, Masood said.

“Why am I being stopped from taking part in politics,” Musharraf said in a video message posted yesterday on his Facebook page. “Is it because I gave Pakistan hope, security and progress?”

Former premier Nawaz Sharif, who was overthrown by Musharraf in a bloodless coup in 1999, was preferred by 37 per cent in a Gallup analysis of two opinion polls last month. That’s more than double the 16 per cent garnered by the Peoples Party.