Supreme Court upholds Pervez Musharraf’s death sentence

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has rejected the appeal of former dictator President Pervez Musharraf (deceased) and upheld the death sentence of the special court.

It has been said by the Supreme Court that the heirs of Pervez Musharraf did not follow the case even on several notices. Therefore, the appeal of Pervez Musharraf is rejected.

The Supreme Court has also annulled the decision of the Lahore High Court. The Supreme Court says that the Lahore High Court’s decision to invalidate the special court was against the law.

It was informed by the Supreme Court that the special court sentenced Pervez Musharraf on December 17, 2019, he filed appeal number 785 in the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court says that an appeal was filed by Pervez Musharraf on January 16, 2020. Salman Safdar said that Musharraf died on February 5, 2023. This appeal was scheduled for hearing on November 10, 2023.

It has been said by the Supreme Court that the court issued notices to the legal heirs of Musharraf at the addresses available in Pakistan and abroad. The Supreme Court also published notices in newspapers.

Cases related to former President Pervez Musharraf were heard in the Supreme Court by a 4-member bench headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Athar Minullah were also included in the bench.

During the hearing, Tawfiq Asif’s lawyer Hamid Khan came to the rostrum and said that Pervez Musharraf has filed an appeal against the sentence, which is a criminal appeal.

In the court, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa said that with the appeal, it is possible to pronounce the verdict on the constitutional petitions today. In the absence of the heirs of Pervez Musharraf, they cannot listen to their lawyer.

Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa said that decisions should not be made on the basis of assumptions, do not want to close any door for the right of the heirs, how can the court resort to 561 A?

Lawyer Salman Safdar said that he appreciates the initiative of this court, Pervez Musharraf’s heirs are not residing in Pakistan.

The Chief Justice asked Salman Safdar what are your reservations about the Lahore High Court.

Salman Safdar said that Musharraf does not appear before the trial judge in the Lahore High Court even in the Supreme Court. On this, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa said that we do not call anyone in the chamber.

During the hearing, Justice Athar Minullah said that under Article 12, court doors are open against all the people involved with Musharraf.

Lawyer Salman Safdar said that Pervez Musharraf was not involved in the implementation of Emergency alone, the then Prime Minister, Law Minister, Parliament and Supreme Court judges were also involved.

Salman Safdar said that Pervez Musharraf was punished by a special court without hearing, a person was punished in isolation for an action against the whole country.

Justice Athar Minullah said that if the 1999 emergency had been investigated, the action of November 3 would not have taken place.

Lawyer Salman Safdar said that Pervez Musharraf died on February 5, 2023, after the appeal hearing was scheduled, he contacted the family several times, the family did not respond despite my several messages.