Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said Pervez Musharraf will be tried for high treason for subverting the Constitution twice,including when the former military ruler ousted him in a 1999 coup.
If Musharraf is convicted of high treason,he could face a possible death sentence or life imprisonment. Sharif made the announcement in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament less than three weeks after returning as premier following his PML-N party8217;s victory in the general election.
Musharraf8217;s actions came under the purview of 8220;high treason8221;,Sharif told parliament. The 69-year-old former army chief,currently under house arrest,should face trial in the Supreme Court and answer for his actions,Sharif said.
Referring to Musharraf8217;s decision to impose emergency rule in 2007,Sharif said,8221;The federal government firm subscribes to the view that the holding in abeyance of the Constitution on November 3,2007 constituted an act of high treason within the meaning of Article 6 of the Constitution of Pakistan.8221;
The Prime Minister is under oath to protect and defend the Constitution and 8220;it is implicit in this oath that his government ensures that persons guilty of acts under Article 6 are brought to justice8221;,he said. Reading from a statement presented by Attorney General Munir Malik to the Supreme Court,Sharif said,8221;Notwithstanding the fact that the Prime Minister has borne the brunt of Musharraf8217;s brazen coup,he wishes to assure both this august court and the people of Pakistan that he will act
according to the highest standards of justice and follow the due process of law.8221;
Sharif further said his government would 8220;take political forces into confidence through a consultative process8221; in order to proceed with Musharraf8217;s trial.
Soon after the premier spoke in parliament,the Attorney General conveyed the government8217;s position to a Supreme Court bench hearing a petition seeking Musharraf8217;s trial for high treason. The Attorney General said the process for putting Musharraf on trial had been started though the government needed 30 days to chart its future course of action. However,the apex court gave the Attorney General only three days to decide on a course of action and directed him to submit the government8217;s response by Thursday.
