Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday, in a high treason case. The special court had initially sentenced Musharraf to death in absentia in December 2019, for imposing a state of emergency in 2007 and keeping the constitution in abeyance. However, the Lahore High Court had declared the special court and its proceedings as unconstitutional in January 2020.
The issue of his sentence and the LHC judgement were brought before the apex court where a four-member bench headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justices Mansoor Ali Shah, Aminuddin Khan and Athar Minallah conducted the hearing. The Supreme Court set aside the LHC’s decision and upheld the death sentence imposed on Musharraf.
Musharraf, who was 79 years old, passed away in Dubai on February 5, 2023, after a prolonged illness. He had been living in the UAE since 2016 in self-exile to avoid facing criminal charges in Pakistan. The treason trial against him had been initiated by then prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 2013.
The charges against Musharraf stemmed from his imposition of a state of emergency in 2007, which led to his conviction for high treason for abrogating the Constitution. This landmark judgment marked the first time a former military dictator has been punished for subverting the constitution in Pakistan.
The sentence of a former top military official for treason had angered the country’s powerful army, which has been ruling over Pakistan for the majority of its existence. It was a significant development in the country’s history, and it raised questions about accountability for past actions that violated the constitution.
The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the death sentence in the high treason case against Musharraf is a significant milestone in Pakistan’s legal and political landscape. It demonstrates the country’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for those who have subverted the constitution. The ruling also sends a powerful message about the importance of maintaining the integrity of democratic institutions and holding individuals accountable for their actions.