Pakistan forms committee to investigate Musharraf's emergency rule

Pakistani government has formed a high level committee to investigate the emergency rule former military ruler had imposed in 2007, the Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan said in the parliament on Thursday.

Musharraf, who faces high treason charges for abrogating the constitution during his 1999-2008 rule, had imposed emergency rule in November 2007, and suspended the constitution.

He had also placed dozens of top judges under house arrest who had refused to take oath under his Provisional Constitutional Order.

The Interior Minister told the National Assembly Thursday the four-member committee is comprised of senior officials of the Federal Investigation Agency.

Ch. Nisar said the committee/commission will keep the Interior Ministry informed about its investigation and submit its report within the shortest possible time.

Reacting to the statement of the Interior Minister, a senior opposition leader, Amin Fahim said his party had supported Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's announcement to try former President Pervez Musharraf in the high treason case.

He said it is for the first time in the country's history that the government has moved the court on Article 6 of the constitution, which calls for high treason trial of all those who abrogate the constitution. He said justice should be done and accountability should be carried out across the board.

Earlier, the Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its verdict on petitions, seeking high treason proceedings against Musharraf.

The verdict will be announced on an appropriate time.

Attorney General Munir A. Malik informed the Supreme Court that an investigation team will probe emergency promulgated by Musharraf and the prime minister has issued necessary directives to the interior secretary about the case proceedings.

The Attorney General said that a commission will also be constituted to oversee the entire investigation process.

He said time frame will also be set to complete the hearing of the case. He said that the commitment of the government in this regard is on the record of the court.