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Pakistan issues detailed verdict against Musharraf

Supporters of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) carry placards as they shout slogans during a protest following a special court's verdict, in Islamabad on December 18, 2019. (Photo by AFP)

Kamran Yousaf
Press TV, Islamabad

The court which sentenced Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to death on Tuesday has published its detailed verdict.

The verdict of over 150 pages gives detailed reasons why the former president was handed down the death sentence.

The court found Musharraf guilty of high treason under the Pakistani constitution for his actions in November 2007. That is when he declared a state of emergency and detained hundreds of superior court judges while suspending the constitution.

The special court has not just given death sentence to Musharraf, it has also directed authorities to ensure that the convict’s body be hanged for three days right here in front of the country’s parliament if he dies before the implementation of the verdict. 

Many believe the judgment is symbolic and it is unlikely to be implemented. The army, however, has rejected the verdict, slamming it as inhumane and against the norms of justice.

Prime Minister Imran Khan in the past supported the treason trial against Musharraf, but his government has now apparently changed its stance.

The army believes that Musharraf, who was the army chief, cannot be called a traitor. But others believe that Musharraf’s November 2007 actions were unconstitutional.

Musharraf, who ruled the country from 1999 to 2008, is currently living in self-imposed exile. He has questioned the verdict and insisted that he was not given a fair trial.

Pakistan has a history of military takeovers, but this is the first time that an army general has been convicted.


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