KARACHI: In response to the objection raised by deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif over the permission to contest elections granted to Pervez Musharraf by the top court, Chief of Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar stated that the former military dictator’s return to the country should not be considered as a threat to anyone.
Speaking to journalists outside the accountability court, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader had listed all cases the former president stood accused in, asking, “How could the Supreme Court extend such an offer to someone accused of high treason?”
The chief justice responded, “How can Musharraf harm anyone?”
While hearing a case pertaining to water scarcity at the Karachi registry on Saturday, the former president was directed by the CJP to return to the country and face cases against him. “We have summoned Musharraf but people feel threatened by his return,” the chief justice remarked.
The Supreme Court, earlier this week, summoned former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on June 13 in response to a petition against his lifetime disqualification to contest the elections in view of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) 2013 judgement.
The Supreme Court’s three-judge bench, headed by justice Nisar, took up an appeal, filed by Musharraf against the PHC verdict to disqualify him for life for promulgating emergency in November 2007. Musharraf is also head of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML).
The court also assured that Musharraf’s counsel the former president would not be arrested. It also allowed the returning officers to receive his nomination papers for the upcoming election. However, acceptance of his nomination papers will be subject to the outcome of this case.
Musharraf is currently being tried by a special court for subverting the Constitution on November 3, 2007, and the prosecution is trying its best to record his statement under 342CrPc in this case. The special court has already ordered the federal government to suspend his CNIC and passport.
