ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has upheld the death sentence of former military ruler and president, Pervez Musharraf, who was convicted of high treason for declaring a state of emergency in November 2007. The decision was made by a four-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Ameenuddin Khan, and Justice Athar Minallah.
The case against Musharraf was brought to the special court during the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) tenure, and he was sentenced to death on December 17, 2019, under Article 6 of the Constitution. His appeal against the sentence was based on the argument that the decision was unconstitutional and that the emergency declaration was not his sole responsibility.
Musharraf’s counsel, Salman Safdar, argued that the former ruler’s family resides outside of Pakistan, making it impossible for them to appear before the court. He also contended that other high-ranking officials, including the then prime minister, law minister, parliament, and judges of the Supreme Court, were also involved in the events of November 2007.
Despite these arguments, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the special court after hearing the appeals from all parties involved. The case has raised questions about the accountability of high-ranking officials and the implications of declaring a state of emergency, sparking discussions about the balance of power and the rule of law in Pakistan.
In summary, the Supreme Court of Pakistan confirmed the death sentence of the late Pervez Musharraf, who was found guilty of high treason for declaring a state of emergency in November 2007 during his tenure as military ruler and president. The decision was reached following a series of appeals and arguments presented by the petitioner’s counsel and the federal government.