 "Only Musharraf be tried for treason: Pakistan SC")
Spelling further trouble for military ruler Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's Supreme Court today ruled that only he should be tried on the charge of treason for subverting the Constitution in 2007.
The apex court accepted former chief justice Abdul Hameed Dogar's appeal to exclude him from the investigation into the treason case launched against 72-year-old Musharraf in 2013 for imposing emergency in 2007 when he was president.
The three-member special court trying Musharraf on November 27, 2015 directed Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to re-investigate the case by including ex-prime minister Shaukat Aziz, former minister Zahid Hamid and ex-chief justice Dogar.
It removed the names of three other names from the list of accused.
Dogar had challenged his inclusion in Islamabad High Court, which on December 12, 2015 rejected the plea.
But he again challenged it in the Supreme Court which annulled a special court's decision to include the new names in the trial.
It said that the special court trying Musharraf had no jurisdiction to associate any individual with the high treason probe.
"A fresh investigation into the said offence by associating any person with the same lies within the prerogative of the Federal Government," Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said in the judgment.
The court also asked the three-member panel trying Musharraf to complete the trial as early as possible.
High treason is punishable with death if proved. Musharraf has pleaded non-guilty.
Musharraf was indicted in April 2014 but since then no progress has been made in the case for various reasons.
He grabbed power in 1999 by deposing then prime minister Nawaz Sharif and ruled till 2008 when he was forced to resign. Musharraf lives in Karachi with his daughter. He is not allowed to leave the country under an order by the court.
Musharraf, who was recently admitted to a hospital, yesterday moved an application in the Supreme Court to let him go abroad for treatment.
The apex court accepted former chief justice Abdul Hameed Dogar's appeal to exclude him from the investigation into the treason case launched against 72-year-old Musharraf in 2013 for imposing emergency in 2007 when he was president.
Read more from our special coverage on "PERVEZ MUSHARRAF"
The three-member special court trying Musharraf on November 27, 2015 directed Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to re-investigate the case by including ex-prime minister Shaukat Aziz, former minister Zahid Hamid and ex-chief justice Dogar.
It removed the names of three other names from the list of accused.
Dogar had challenged his inclusion in Islamabad High Court, which on December 12, 2015 rejected the plea.
But he again challenged it in the Supreme Court which annulled a special court's decision to include the new names in the trial.
It said that the special court trying Musharraf had no jurisdiction to associate any individual with the high treason probe.
"A fresh investigation into the said offence by associating any person with the same lies within the prerogative of the Federal Government," Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said in the judgment.
The court also asked the three-member panel trying Musharraf to complete the trial as early as possible.
High treason is punishable with death if proved. Musharraf has pleaded non-guilty.
Musharraf was indicted in April 2014 but since then no progress has been made in the case for various reasons.
He grabbed power in 1999 by deposing then prime minister Nawaz Sharif and ruled till 2008 when he was forced to resign. Musharraf lives in Karachi with his daughter. He is not allowed to leave the country under an order by the court.
Musharraf, who was recently admitted to a hospital, yesterday moved an application in the Supreme Court to let him go abroad for treatment.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%