PHC slaps lifetime ban on Musharraf to contest polls

• LHC admits petition seeking Musharraf’s right to contest elections
• Quetta local court allows police to interrogate former military dictator in Akbar Bugti murder case
• SC directs federation to allow counsel of Musharraf to meet him

In a dramatic turn of events for Pervez Musharraf, the Peshawar High Court on Tuesday slapped a ban on the former president, barring him from contesting elections for life.

Rejecting an appeal filed by the former president against his disqualification from NA-32 Chitral constituency, the PHC chief justice said the former dictator had broken the constitution twice.

The chief justice added that Musharraf had also detained judges with their families and kids.

According to the decision, Musharraf would not take part in any elections of National Assembly, Senate and other assemblies.

On April 22, Musharraf had challenged his disqualification from NA-32 Chitral in the Peshawar High Court.

He challenged the election tribunal decision through his lawyer Muhammad Saad Shibli, who had also appeared for him in the objection petitions filed against acceptance of his nomination papers.

Meanwhile in Lahore, the High Court (LHC) admitted for hearing a petition requesting the court to declare Musharraf eligible to contest elections.

Justice Ejazul Ahsan took up the petition for hearing on Tuesday. The court was told on behalf of Musharraf that the Election Tribunal had declared the former president disqualified to contest polls from NA-139 despite the fact that he had not been convicted in any case.

Musharraf also fulfilled the requirements of Articles 62 and 63, therefore, he should be declared eligible to take part in the polls, the court was further requested.

A full bench of the LHC would hear the case on May 2.

On the other hand, a local court in Quetta allowed police to interrogate the former military dictator in the Akbar Bugti murder case.

The verdict was given on a request filed earlier by the law enforcement agency to dig out facts in the high-profile case.

The former president would be investigated at his farmhouse residence in Chak Shehzad, recently declared a sub-jail.

A 25-member team of Dera Bugti police had filed an application seeking inclusion of Musharraf in the assassination case, stating that Musharraf was wanted to the police.

The ATC, however, rejected a plea for immediate physical remand of Musharraf.

In a separate hearing, the Supreme Court directed the federation to provide access to counsel of Musharraf to meet him, as it was his constitutional right.

The three-member bench headed by Justice Jawad S Khawaja resumed hearing in five identical petitions seeking the initiation of a treason case against the former president.

During the proceedings, Musharraf’s lawyer Ibrahim Satti argued that the constitution makers had granted the right to initiate high treason case solely to the executive.

He said no such step should be taken that could jeopardise national interest, security and peace.

Satti said the courts were powerful and the federation would act instantly if required. On this, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked that the federation had not done anything so far.

Satti said since August 15‚ 2008, no case was registered against him in this regard.

Justice Khilji Arif Hussian said the court decided in the light of constitution, not on hints. “The federation has not signalled that initiating trial against Pervez Musharraf can pose any threat to the nation security.”

Satti said the constitution was framed in 1973 and no government had so far initiated treason trial against any one.

Satti also withdrew legal points regarding prejudice against the chief justice of Pakistan over formation of full bench for hearing of the case.

In Rawalpindi, the anti-terrorism court (ATC) sent former president Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf on a 14-day judicial remand after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) completed its interrogation from the accused in the Benazir Bhutto murder case.

Senior Public Prosecutor of FIA Chaudhry Zulfikar submitted a report about the investigation carried out by a joint investigation team of the agency during four-day physical remand of Musharraf and requested sending the accused on judicial remand.

Barrister Salman Safdar, counsel for Musharraf, filed a petition before the trial court seeking bail. He pleaded that his client was innocent and had nothing to do with the murder of Benazir Bhutto.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior on Tuesday proposed a panel to interrogate Islamabad Inspector General Police Bani Amin regarding Musharraf’s escape from court.

Deputy Attorney General Tariq Mahmood Jahangeri apprised the court that the ministry had nominated three officers and anyone could be selected to form the commission.

The officers include Ministry of Education and Training Secretary Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, Ministry of Information Technology Secretary Shahid Rasheed and Ministry of Production Secretary Shahidullah Baig.

Justice ShauKat Siddiqui observed that inquiry against the IGP should be started without further delays.