Tag: Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf

  • I only watch wrestling on TV: judge who wants Musharraf hanged at D-Chowk

    I only watch wrestling on TV: judge who wants Musharraf hanged at D-Chowk

    Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Waqar Ahmed Seth, who on Thursday made headlines for his damning remarks in Gen (r) Pervez Mushrraf’s treason case judgement, has said that the only thing he watches on TV is wrestling.

    The PHC CJ, who was a part of the three-judge special court trying the former military ruler for treason, had a day earlier drawn ire of people on both mainstream and social media for proposing Musharraf’s public hanging.

    Both the government and the army had expressed “anger” over a specific paragraph 66 of the detailed judgement and termed it “unlawful”, “inhuman” and “unconstitutional”.

    Para 66 of the verdict read: “We direct the law enforcement agencies to strive their level best to apprehend the fugitive/convict [Pervez Musharraf] and to ensure that the punishment is inflicted as per law and if found dead, his corpse be dragged to the D-Chowk [in front of the Parliament House], Islamabad, Pakistan, and be hanged for three days.”

    With the government deciding to move the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and file an appeal against the verdict during a meeting of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) strategic committee, chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan after his telephonic conversation with Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, a lawyer, Advocate Moazzam Butt, on Friday praised Justice Seth for staying calm despite all the backlash.

    “It’s impressive how calm you are,” the lawyer said to Justice Seth as the latter heard a case at the PHC, Express News reported.

    Responding to the lawyer’s praise, the judge said that nothing had happened until he left home earlier in the day. “I don’t watch TV… I only watch wrestling,” he was quoted as saying.

  • ‘We’re patient’: Military reacts to detailed verdict in ex-chief’s treason case

    Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Asif Ghafoor on Thursday blasted the detailed judgement in the high treason case against former military ruler Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf, stating that the fears of the armed forces had proven true.

    “We direct the Law Enforcement Agencies to strive their level best to apprehend the fugitive/convict [Musharraf] and to ensure that the punishment is inflicted as per law and if found dead, his corpse be dragged to the D-Chowk, Islamabad and hanged for three days,” one of the judges, Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), had stated in the verdict issued earlier in the day.

    Reacting to the verdict, the military spokesperson said that the words used in the written order “transgressed humanity, religion, culture and any other values”.

    “Pakistan Army is a responsible institution and its soldiers have taken an oath to protect the country. For the armed forces, the country comes first, and institutions later,” Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said as he addressed a short press conference hours after the detailed verdict was issued by the special court trying the ex-army chief for treason.

    “We will not let this stability be reversed under any circumstances,” he said, adding that the military knew how to defend the institution’s integrity, and would foil any attempts by external or internal enemies to destabilise the country.

    “We have been fighting conventional wars, then sub-conventional wars and now, we are facing a hybrid war,” he said. “We know the nature of this war and how to fight it.”

    The DG ISPR said that efforts were being made to weaken Pakistan externally. He said that some elements were trying to destabilise the country by making people fight with one another. “Some people are dreaming that they can defeat Pakistan. This will not happen. If we know about the threat, then our response is also in place.”

    He said that the prime minister (PM) and army chief had spoken in detail over the verdict, and the government would soon inform the nation about the decisions taken by the two.

    “The armed forces are not an institution, but are like a family,” Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said.

    REFERENCE AGAINST SETH:

    Meanwhile, Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Anwar Mansoor Khan has strongly condemned the detailed verdict of the special court and said that the government would take action against the judge who proposed public hanging.

    Terming the judgement as “illegal, unconstitutional and immoral”, he said that an action would be taken against the judges concerned under Article 209 of the constitution.

    “I will take steps for declaring the verdict null and void after returning from Istanbul. This matter will be sent to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) of Pakistan for holding an inquiry against the judge,” the AGP said while talking to ARY News.

    He added that the verdict was seemingly given on the basis of personal enmity and a legal plea would be filed to nullify the verdict in accordance with the law. “It [the verdict] has damaged the reputation of the armed forces as it is an apparent attack against the institution.”

    “A person must not be allowed to continue to perform their duties as a judge when they are mentally ill. This position is not for a person who gives verdicts against the constitution, law and the religion,” he maintained.

    READ DETAILED VERDICT:

  • Hamza Ali Abbasi takes his words back about not accusing judges of being anti-Army

    Hamza Ali Abbasi takes his words back about not accusing judges of being anti-Army

    Ever since a special court on Tuesday awarded death penalty to former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf for high treason, there is pretty much nothing else anyone can talk about.

    Hamza Ali Abbasi, who is one of Pakistan’s most vocal actors, has been tweeting furiously on the matter. Earlier in the day Hamza had requested people who support Musharraf to express their views without accusing judges of being anti-Army or pro-Nawaz Sharif.

    However, after the special court issued its detailed verdict, an excerpt of it went viral on social media, Hamza remarked that he takes his “words back about not accusing judges of being anti-Army or anti-Pakistan.”

    “We direct the Law Enforcement Agencies to strive their level best to apprehend the fugitive/convict [Musharraf] and to ensure that the punishment is inflicted as per law and if found dead, his corpse be dragged to the D-Chowk, Islamabad and hanged for three days,” read the excerpt.

    Earlier, he had tweeted that PML-N and others need to apologise for their allegations on the judiciary, during the cases against the Sharifs.

    He also added that the courts should apply the same procedure to Ishaq Dar others who are not present in the country.

  • VIDEO: Musharraf terms death penalty verdict as ‘personal vendetta’

    VIDEO: Musharraf terms death penalty verdict as ‘personal vendetta’

    Former military ruler General (r) Pervez Musharraf has said that the special court’s death sentence verdict against him was based on “personal vendetta”.

    Musharraf in a recent video message released on Wednesday said, “I heard the special court’s verdict against me on television,” adding that “There is no example of such a verdict in the past where neither the defendant nor his lawyers were given permission to speak in his defence.”

    Former dictator said that he had earlier offered to give his statement to a special commission if they visit him in Dubai, where Musharraf is currently undergoing medical treatment adding that “his request was ignored”.

    Musharraf said that he respected the Pakistani judiciary and that, similar to Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, he also believed that everyone was equal before the law.

    “I call this verdict suspicious because supremacy of the law was ignored from the start to the end during the hearings of this case,” he added.

    Musharraf said, “However, in my opinion, CJ Khosa showed his intentions and his determination to the public himself by saying that he ensured a speedy verdict in this case. How can the judges who gained personal benefits during my tenure issue a judgement against me?”

    He thanked the Pakistani citizens and the country’s Armed Forces for remembering his services for the country.

    “This is the biggest honour for me, which I will take to my grave,” he said, adding that he will announce his plan of action regarding the case after consulting his legal team.

  • ‘CJP Khosa’s statements about Musharraf’s case are fake,’ clarifies SC

    ‘CJP Khosa’s statements about Musharraf’s case are fake,’ clarifies SC

    The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan has said that the statements of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khosa being aired and published by differnent news channels regarding former army cheif Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf’s high treason case are baseless and concocted.

    In a press release, the top court clarified that the fake news items have created an impression that CJP Khosa was personally involved in the progress of the case and he was giving directions to other judges.

    “Different benches of the supreme court of Pakistan had been hearing different aspects of the case of Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf and had passed various orders for the early disposition of the said case”

    “The Hon’ble Chief Justice had not issued any direction of any sort to the Special Court other than the judicial directions issued by the relevant benches of the Supreme Court in the above mentioned case,” the statement said.

    A few news channels and newspaper had earlier published statements of CJP Khosa saying that the treason case was clear and that Mushrraf was given many chances to present his views.

    On Tuesday, a special court awarded death sentence to former military dictator Musharraf in absentia for suspending the constitution on November 3, 2007.

  • Was offered bribes, lucrative positions to drop Musharraf’s case: CJP Khosa

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khan Khosa has reportedly said that he was “offered lucrative positions and bribes multiple times to drop former military ruler Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf’s case”, but he refused to accept any.

    According to Geo News, the top judge, during an informal discussion with journalists, said that the Supreme Court (SC) had already declared the former president’s case as “open and shut” and the judges feared nothing for as long as they were providing justice to the masses.

    CJP Khosa was also quoted as saying that the decision regarding the extension of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa “would have long term effects that the people would realise later”.

    “I have already accepted a fellowship offer at Harvard to pursue following my retirement,” the CJP said.

    On Tuesday, a special court awarded death sentence to former military dictator Musharraf in absentia for suspending the constitution on November 3, 2007.

    While the counsel for the convict and the armed forces’ media wing in separate statements strongly criticised the decision that they said was taken “in haste”, opposition parties maintained that “justice had prevailed”.

    According to The Express Tribune, the outgoing CJP is said to have played a key role in making sure the six-year-old treason trial against the former president was concluded before he retired.

  • Fawad Chaudhry expresses disappointment over Musharraf verdict

    Fawad Chaudhry expresses disappointment over Musharraf verdict

    Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry says that no one in Pakistan was happy with Musharraf verdict.

    A Special Court on Tuesday awarded death penalty to former dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf for high treason.

    Addressing a press conference in Jeddah, Fawad said that countries cannot function without the army.

    “GHQ has a vital role in formation of the country’s security policy,” said Chaudhry adding that all state institutions should respect each other and not tread into others’ jurisdiction.

    Earlier in the day, Fawad also expressed his displeasure over the verdict saying that what’s the point of verdicts like these which only serve to create further distances.

    It must be remembered that when Musharraf declared Emergency on November 3, 2007, Imran Khan said on Dr. Shahid Masood’s show that Musharraf must be tried for high treason and should get the death penalty.

    https://twitter.com/hyzaidi/status/1207003979596652544?s=20

  • ‘A son of the soil’: Mehwish Hayat, Shaan respond to Musharraf verdict

    Former military dictator General (r) Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday was handed death sentence in the high treason case against him.

    According to reports, the court, in its short order, said that it analysed complaints, records, arguments and facts in the case for three months, adding that it found Musharraf guilty of high treason according to Article 6 of the constitution.

    While everyone including members of the media, civil society and politicians had thoughts to share on the matter, people were very curious to know what Mehwish Hayat has to say on the matter given that she had earlier tweeted in favour of Musharraf and was brutally trolled for it.

    https://twitter.com/cyalm/status/1206960344561782784?s=20

    Here’s what Mehwish had to say on the verdict.

    Meanwhile, here’s what she had tweeted earlier:

    Other celebrities who shared their thoughts on the matter included Shaan and Hamza Ali Abbasi.

    Elan’s creative director Khadija Shah also expressed her disappointment on the court’s verdict.

    https://twitter.com/khadijah_shah/status/1206851891679965184?s=20

  • ‘Innocent till proven guilty’: Mehwish Hayat defends General (r) Musharraf

    Mehwish Hayat who has lately been actively voicing her political thoughts, in a recent tweet, defended former military dictator and President General (r) Pervez Musharraf.

    “This man was our President and guided us through some very difficult times. Like him or loathe him, he deserves the opportunity to be heard,” she wrote in her tweet, asserting that he deserves dignity.

    When someone demanded that the former president Asif Ali Zardari also be given the same opportunity, Mehwish said, “Nobody is above the law, all that I am saying is give him a chance to be heard at least. Guilt or otherwise is the decision of the courts.”

    Designer Maheen Khan agreed with Mehwish’s point of view.

    Meanwhile, Gen Musharraf, who is currently in the hospital for the treatment of an unknown ailment, released a video from his hospital saying that he has not been heard and is being “victimised.”

    The former military dictator is facing a high treason case in Pakistan for implementing emergency rule and suspending the constitution in 2007. The verdict for the case will reportedly be announced by a special court in Islamabad on December 17 after hearing the arguments of the government’s new prosecution team.

    In the video message, Musharraf had said, “As far as this [treason] case is concerned, this is absolutely baseless. I have served my country for 10 years. I have fought for my country. This [treason] is the case in which I have not been heard and I have been victimised.”

    Previously, Khadija Shah of Élan had also tweeted out in favour of Gen Musharraf.

    https://twitter.com/khadijah_shah/status/1202085199028330501?s=20
  • VIDEO: ‘Being tried for treason after serving Pakistan all my life,’ says ailing Musharraf from hospital bed

    VIDEO: ‘Being tried for treason after serving Pakistan all my life,’ says ailing Musharraf from hospital bed

    Former military ruler General (r) Pervez Musharraf has regretted being tried for treason “despite having served Pakistan all his life”.

    In his latest video message from American Hospital Dubai, Musharraf, who is facing a high treason case back in Pakistan for implementing emergency rule and suspending the constitution in 2007, said that he was “very ill”.

    “I keep coming and going to the hospital,” he said, adding that his version of the story “wasn’t being heard”.

    “Even my lawyer Salman Safdar is not being heard by the court,” he said, adding that he had fought wars for Pakistan and served his country for 10 years.

    Musharraf also said that he was ready to record his statement with the commission, provided they came to Dubai.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    “As for me, the commission can come here, I can give them a statement. They can come and hear me, see my condition and then decide for themselves. When they return, they can give their statement and my lawyer will be heard in the court too and I hope it is then that I will get justice,” he said.

    The former army chief, who has been residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a while now, felt under the weather Sunday night and was admitted to the hospital. He was set to undergo various tests in this regard.

    Musharraf’s close aide and the ex-chairperson of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), Dr Muhammad Amjad, said the ex-president was rapidly becoming weaker due to an unknown disease, which is why he was unable to return to Pakistan to face the treason case.

    A couple of days ago,Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry had called Musharraf the nation’s benefactor, saying he had “rid the country of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif in 1999”.

    “When Musharraf was in power, a lot of people used to stand queuing up to light his cigar,” he had added.