Five years ago Pervez Musharraf was in charge of Pakistan’s nuclear launch codes, making him one of the most powerful men in the world. Now the former military dictator must answer allegations of treason as his futile attempt at regaining power hits legal challenges.
Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez
Musharraf prays after he arrived at the Karachi International airport
from Dubai, in Karachi.
On Monday the country’s highest court summoned Mr Musharraf, 69, to appear
before it on Tuesday in response to a petition claiming that his actions in
toppling an elected government, suspending the constitution and sacking
judges amount to treason.
He faces the death penalty if found guilty.
Judge Jawad Khawaja said the state had a duty to take effective measures
against Musharraf “and others who subverted the constitution”.
It is the latest blow to Mr Musharraf’s far from triumphal homecoming.
He returned to Pakistan
a little over a fortnight ago, the first time since fleeing the country in
2008 as impeachment proceedings loomed. Rather than an adoring nation, he
was met by indifference.
His campaign is struggling to get off the ground and at first only the
Pakistani Taliban made any attempt to treat him as a statesman, issuing a
video death threat.
It could get a lot worse for the general who seized power in 1999.
Many of his former enemies are in powerful positions.
His court appearance will bring him face to face to some of the judges whom he sacked as he made a last attempt to cling on in 2007. The country’s chief justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, led the campaign to oust the dictator after being suspended and placed under house arrest.
Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister deposed and arrested in General Musharraf’s coup, is considered the party leader most likely to take power after the election on May 11.
Mr Musharraf must also answer court cases related to the murder of Benazir Bhutto and a Baluch separatist leader.
His aides insist the cases are politically motivated.
It could get a lot worse for the general who seized power in 1999.
Many of his former enemies are in powerful positions.
His court appearance will bring him face to face to some of the judges whom he sacked as he made a last attempt to cling on in 2007. The country’s chief justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, led the campaign to oust the dictator after being suspended and placed under house arrest.
Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister deposed and arrested in General Musharraf’s coup, is considered the party leader most likely to take power after the election on May 11.
Mr Musharraf must also answer court cases related to the murder of Benazir Bhutto and a Baluch separatist leader.
His aides insist the cases are politically motivated.
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