Pakistan’s Supreme Court withdraw Pervez Musharraf from contest elections

Pakistan’s Supreme Court today barred a conditional permission for former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to contest elections after he doesn’t appear in court.

General (Retd.) Musharraf had filed his nomination from the northern district of Chitral after the court last week allowed him to contest the July 25 general election but made it necessary the appearance of him before it on June 13 in a case of his involvement, which will be the lifelong disqualification by the Peshawar High Court in 2013.

Chief Justice Saqib Nisar yesterday addressed former army chief as “cowardice”, taunting him for not appearing in court and had told him to appear by 2 pm today.

His counsel Qamar Afzal informed the court about the decision of Pervez Musharraf, 74, was determined to return but it was not possible for him to come immediately.

“I have spoken to Musharraf, he asks for more time. He plans to come to Pakistan but due to Eid holidays and illness, he can’t travel immediately,” Mr Afzal said.

It prompted the chief justice to adjourn the hearing for an indefinite period, saying the next hearing will be held when the petitioner was ready for it.

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“Alright, we’ll adjourn the court hearing till indefinite time period, will hold it on your wish,” the judge observed. But he ordered to withdraw the conditional permission for General (Retd.) Musharraf to contest elections.

Earlier today, Mr Musharraf’s All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) said on Twitter that “preparations for his return were in the final stage”. Mr Musharraf has been living in Dubai since March 2016 and is wanted in several cases.

He is facing a high-profile treason case and has been declared an absconder due to his persistent failure to appear before the special trial court set up to try him.

The former president was indicted in March 2014 on treason charges for imposing an emergency in the country which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 other judges.