Musharraf challenges treason trial in special civilian court

Former Pakistan president military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf has challenged his trial for treason in a civilian court.

Musharraf said he could only be prosecuted under the Army Act.

According to Dawn News, the 70-year-old is due to appear before a special court on December 24 to face treason charges for conspiring against the Constitution.

He had declared emergency and overthrew the superior judiciary in November 2007.

Musharraf will be the first military dictator in Pakistan's history to face a trial for treason.

In an application filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) through counsel Advocate Khalid Ranjha, Musharraf said the emergency imposed on November 3 was not an arbitrary act.

The application added that Musharraf could not be tried in court without including those who had taken part in the act.

The petition added that the Nov 3 emergency was imposed while he was serving as a military general and therefore investigation against him could only be carried out under the Army Act, the report said.

It furthermore said that the federal government should be prevented from conducting investigation against Musharraf in a special court, it added.