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Pakistan former military ruler Pervez Musharraf given death sentence

In this file photo taken on June 12, 2004, Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf answers a question during an interview in Rawalpindi. (Photo by AFP)

Kamran Yousaf
Press TV, Islamabad

The special tribunal in a majority 2-1 judgement found former military ruler Geneneral Pervez Musharraf guilty of high treason. It took the special tribunal six long years to conclude the high-profile case. The case was related to his November 2007 actions when he imposed emergency rule and detained judges to extend his rule.

This is for the first time in the history of Pakistan that any military ruler has been convicted for violating the country’s constitution. Before Musharraf, there were three generals, who ruled Pakistan for many years. They were never tried for overthrowing the elected governments.

The verdict is seen by observers as landmark and may serve as deterrence to discourage military takeovers in the future.

Just days before the verdict, Musharraf issued a video statement from the hospital bed terming all the charges against him as politically motivated. Musharraf’s lawyer has contested the charges against him.

While many have hailed the decision as good for democracy, the country’s military reacted angrily to the verdict against Musharraf.

In a statement, the army has said Musharraf being the former Army chief and President of Pakistan cannot be called a traitor.

The army also claimed that due process of law was not followed in his case and decision was taken in haste.

The unprecedented reaction from the military shows that the controversy is far from over.


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