Sound bites: Legal experts weigh in on the Musharraf verdict

"First judicial pronouncement that supports democracy"

No one can disagree with the conviction of General (retired) Pervez Musharraf. There is sufficient evidence, available both in the court’s record and with the people who have been observing Pakistan’s history. Military adventurism, for the first time, has received some kind of discouragement by convicting a man who was coup maker. The message is that the constitution is sacrosanct, and military adventurism must be discourage. Not just discouraged but punished.

This the first judicial pronouncement, I have seen in my lifetime, that supports democracy, and tries to protect the constitution. This is a matter of public importance. It strengths the rule of law in the public mind, which is needed today.

However, I am completely against death penalty. I see no justification for it.

Let me also add, that knowing Pakistan’s history one can never feel completely optimistic. These forces are still very strong and our institutions are weak and amenable to influence.

As for the government’s demand that collaborators, who facilitated Musharraf, should have been included in the treason trial, it is the coup maker who should be punished first. His punishment should not have conditions attached to it. To be honest, I don’t think the government is serious to spread the net wide either.

Hina Jilani an advocate in Pakistan's Supreme Court.

“To be seen if the verdict will mention a course of action against collaborators”

The verdict by the special court is one that was rendered essentially in his absence. Any appeals to this order will revolve around whether General (retd) Musharraf was adequately heard or given a chance to record his statement.

The death sentence is largely symbolic and may be commuted to lesser sentences, following an appeal. It would also be interesting to see if the verdict mentions a future cause of action against collaborators of dictators, under Article 6, as no one was else indicted by the special court, apart from Musharraf.

Reza Ali is a lawyer based in Lahore.

“Verdict restores the faith of the masses in an independent judiciary”

Today, marks a symbolic day in the nation's history, General (retd) Musharraf has been sentenced to death by a special court of Pakistan.

This is certainly the first step towards a democratic Pakistan as envisioned by our leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The conviction of Musharraf by the Court has restored the faith of the masses in an independent judiciary, which is the main foundation of a fair and impartial, constitutionally balanced society. For our nation, people who abrogate the constitution must be punished and held accountable.

Muhammad Ahmed Pansota is an advocate of the high court, practicing in Lahore.