Pak SC summons Musharraf: Explain emergency,sacking

Eleven months after he resigned as President,Pakistans former military ruler Pervez Musharraf was directed by the Pakistan Supreme Court on Wednesday...

Eleven months after he resigned as President,Pakistans former military ruler Pervez Musharraf was directed by the Pakistan Supreme Court on Wednesday to appear before it and explain why he had imposed emergency in November 2007 and sacked more than 60 judges triggering nationwide protests.

The notice was issued to 66-year-old Musharraf,who is on a visit to England,by a 14-member bench headed by reinstated Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary,who had raised a banner of protest after he was dismissed along with many other judges by Musharraf.

Musharrafs hand-picked judges,thereafter,validated the emergency and the sacking of judges while paving the way for his second term in office.

The bench has fixed the next date of hearing for July 29 and has told Musharraf to appear in person or through his counsel. Musharraf flew out of Pakistan more than three months ago,saying that he intended to travel to deliver lectures and address leading think tanks. So far,he has visited Saudi Arabia,the US and some European countries.

The issue of emergency and sacking of judges came up while the apex court was hearing a constitutional petition,seeking regularisation of services of two judges of the Sindh High Court. The case was later adjourned by the court till July 29.

Chaudhary was appointed by Musharraf on May 7,2005 and removed on March 9,2007 when he refused to oblige the military ruler,who wanted him to step down. Amid widespread protests,the lawyers,the lawyers movement was launched. Musharraf was accused of abrogating the Constitution.

The sacking of judges was seen as a desperate bid by Musharraf to stop the Supreme Court setting aside his election for a five-year term as he had contested the polls without giving up his post as Army Chief as promised.

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The Government reinstated Chaudhary and other judges on March 16,this year,through an executive order of the President. Musharraf stepped down as President on August 18,2008 for he feared that the coalition Government would give orders for his impeachment.

The SC witnessed a lengthy debate on the emergency and its fallout on the judiciary during Wednesdays proceedings. Chaudhary and other members of the bench said the court could not take a decision against Musharraf if he was not made party to the proceedings.