Musharraf can't be tried under army act for treason offence

Musharraf's counsel argued that a law which had been declared unconstitutional by the superior court was contended by the defence counsel for two day

Former president Pervez Musharraf cannot be tried for high treason offence under the Pakistan Army Act 1952.

Public Prosecutor Akram Sheikh argued the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act 1977 on which the defence team heavily relied and argued for two days was not a valid law, as it was struck down by the Lahore High Court.

According to the Nation, Musharraf's counsel Dr. Khalid Ranjha's had earlier argued that the former president can be tried under the country army act as it duly provided for the trial of high treason offence of army personnel in view of the sections related to high treason mentioned in the Pakistan Army Amendment Act 1977.

Sheikh argued that a law which had been declared unconstitutional by the superior court was contended by the defence counsel for two days, adding Army Amendment Acts X and XI 1977 had been declared invalid by the courts, the report said.

He asked the three-judge Special Court that it needed to be seen whether the offence of high treason falls in the ambit of civil offence.