Pakistan’s Interim Gov’t Says Cannot Initiate High Treason Case Against Musharraf

Islamabad, April 18, IRNA – Pakistan’s interim government Wednesday told top the court it cannot initiate high treason case against former president Pervez Musharraf, as it has only a mandate to hold elections. The Supreme Court had on Monday sought reply from the federation about five identical petitions, seeking high treason proceedings against him for Musharraf for suspending constitution and imposing emergency in 2007. The Attorney General submitted a two-page written reply on behalf of the government, which states that the caretaker government is busy in preparations for the May 11 parliamentary elections and will not be able to pursue high treason case against Musharraf. The two-member bench earlier said that the apex court had not received the government reply despite issuance of notices to the federation. The Attorney General, Altaf Qadir, told the court that he had not received any instructions from the government and also sought a weekˈs time to look into the legal aspects of the case. The court rejected request for a week time and asked him to come up with a reply by 12 noon, Wednesday. When the Attorney General appeared before the court he submitted written reply from the federation and expressed inability of the interim gov’t to initiate high treason case as it has limited mandate. He said the caretaker government is giving priority to the elections and to provide security to the candidates. The court said that it will pursue the matter and the government response could not stop the court from the case. Legal experts are of the opinion that the gov’t will have to start high treason proceedings. Earlier five petitioners had requested the court to issue detention order for Pervez Musharraf so that he could not go abroad in view of the possible trial. However the court did not entertain the request. The two-member bench also ordered the Interior Ministry to put Musharrafˈs name on the Exit Control List so he could not go abroad. Meanwhile, Musharraf filed appeal against rejection of his nomination papers. Election tribunals have rejected nomination papers of Musharraf who wants to contest for a National Assembly seat from four constituencies./end