Pak SC turns down plea for high treason case against Musharraf

Even as former military ruler Pervez Musharraf defied summons to appear before it over his controversial steps to impose emergency and sack judges in 2007.

Even as former military ruler Pervez Musharraf defied summons to appear before it over his controversial steps to impose emergency and sack judges in 2007,the Pakistan Supreme Court on Thursday turned down a plea to launch a high treason case against him.

The apex court said Parliament was the proper venue to debate the merits of Musharraf’s actions.

The request for initiation of high treason proceedings against Musharraf was made by petitioner Hamid Khan,former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association,which was turned down by Chief Justice Iftikhar M Chaudhry.

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The apex court had last week summoned Musharraf,or his lawyer,to appear before it on July 29 to explain his 2007 actions. Neither Musharraf,who is currently in London,nor any of his representatives showed up Wednesday or on the second day of the hearing on Thursday.

Chaudhry,who was among the 60 judges sacked by Musharraf and was reinstated in March this year,observed that the court cannot give any punishment to anyone in the case,but can declare Musharraf’s November 3,2007 steps as unconstitutional,’The News’ reported.

Justice Shahid Siddiqui,another member of the 14-judge bench hearing the matter,said it was up to Parliament to take up the issue Musharraf’s trial,the report said.