Islamabad HC seeks Musharraf's travel itinerary, asks him to return
It would be "good" for Pervez Musharraf if he returns to Pakistan to face the high treason trial, the Islamabad High Court has observed as it directed his lawyer to submit the former military dictator's travel itinerary at the next hearing. General Musharraf, 75, who has been living in Dubai since 2016, is facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007.
Musharraf declared absconder as he failed to appear before court
Musharraf left for Dubai in Mar'16 for medical treatment and hasn't returned since. He has been declared an absconder due to his persistent failure to appear before a special trial court set up to try him in the case. A two-judge division bench heard the petition filed by Musharraf against the constitution of a judicial commission by the special court for recording his statement.
Visit Musharraf, convince him to face trial: Court to council
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) division bench, which resumed hearing of the case on Monday, told the council to visit Musharraf in Dubai and convince him to face the trial and also asked to bring the former leader back if possible, state media reported. "It would be good for Gen Musharraf if he comes back and faces trial," the bench said.
Court assured Musharraf of foolproof security if he returns
The bench also assured Musharraf's lawyer Salman Safdar that foolproof security would be provided to the former president if he returned. The court adjourned further hearing till the second week of December. Pakistan's Supreme Court had also assured Musharraf, in September, that high-level security will be provided to him if he returns to the country to face the trial in the treason case.
Musharraf indicted in 2014 for imposing emergency, sacking 100 judges
Musharraf, who was the tenth President of Pakistan, was indicted in March 2014 on treason charges for suspending the Constitution and imposing emergency, which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 judges.
Pakistan's Chief Justice had warned Musharraf to appear when called
It should be noted that a conviction for high-profile treason carries a death penalty or life imprisonment. Irked by Musharraf's failure to come back to Pakistan and face ongoing cases against him, Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar early last month warned that if the "courageous commando" did not appear soon, he may be forced to return in a disgraceful manner.
Musharraf also declared fugitive in Benazir, Red Mosque cleric killings
Musharraf, a retired four-star army general, ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008. Apart from the treason charges, he has also been declared a fugitive in the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto murder case (assassination in December 2007) and Red Mosque cleric killing case (July 2007).
