Musharraf indicted in treason case

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military ruler Pervez Musharraf has been indicted for high treason by the special court constituted to hear the case.

Justice Tahira Safdar read out the charges against Musharraf in court with the former president pleading not guilty.
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Video: Musharraf Indicted
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Musharraf is accused of treason under Article 6 for suspending, subverting and abrogating the Constitution, imposing an emergency in the country in November 2007 and detaining judges of the superior courts.

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Video: Musharraf Charge Sheet
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During proceedings Musharraf said: “he does not expect justice from present rulers.”

Musharraf further said he gave 44 years of his life to Pakistan Army and made defense invincible, adding that he gave repute and progress to this country, does it mean treason?

"I honour this court and prosecution, I strongly believe in law I don´t have ego problems, and I have appeared in court 16 times this year in Karachi, Islamabad and Rawalpindi," the 70-year-old said.

"I am being called a traitor, I have been chief of army staff for nine years and I have served this army for 45 years. I have fought two wars and it is treason?"

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Video: Analyst Reactions
Video: Musharraf Trial Poll
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Prosecutor Akram Sheikh said Musharraf’s actions were not treason, but "only subversion of the constitution."

Barrister Farogh Nasim who pleaded Musharraf’s case in the special court today submitted a petition seeking permission for the former president to visit his ailing mother in Sharjah. Musharraf’s counsel also requested his client be allowed to visit the US for medical treatment of his cardiac condition.

The special court in its order dismissed petitions seeking permission for Musharraf to travel abroad stating that the former president's name had been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL) by the federal government. According to the order, only the federal government could remove Musharraf's name from the ECL.

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Read: Musharraf's Petitions Dismissed
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For nearly three months, Musharraf has been admitted to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) where he was taken after developing a cardiac condition.

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Read: Musharraf Mother’s Condition
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Musharraf was rushed to the AFIC on January 2 after he suffered chest pain while he was on his way to the special court. Initially, he was kept in the ICU but was later shifted to a room.

Late on Saturday, Musharraf was again moved to the AFIC’s ICU after his condition deteriorated due to stress upon receiving the news of his mother's illness who is currently hospitalised in Sharjah and is suffering from respiratory complications.

Earlier, non-bailable arrest warrant for Musharraf was issued in case he failed to appear before the court today (Monday).

Security measures at the Special Court were beefed up in anticipation of Musharraf’s appearance in court in compliance with an order issued on March 14, demanding his presence – enforced or voluntary – in the dock.

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In Depth: Musharraf Trial
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Islamabad police had covered their bases; a four-member committee was formed to escort the former president from the AFIC to court, where he has been admitted since January 2. Security passes were issued to a select few only and a police team was formed to arrest the retired general and bring him to court in the event that he refuses to appear voluntarily.