ISLAMABAD: The special court had issued a detailed verdict of the high treason case against former president Pervez Musharraf today.
According to the verdict, Pervez Musharraf has been found guilty in the high treason case in accordance with Article 6 of the Constitution of Pakistan for imposing a state of emergency in Pakistan on 3rd November 2007.
The three-member bench of the special court headed by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth and comprising Justice Nazar Akbar and Justice Shahid Karim announced the verdict. The verdict was split 2-1.
The verdict which comprises 169 pages, stated that Justice Waqar Seth and Justice Shahid Kareem awarded death sentence to Musharraf while another member of the bench Justice Nazir Akbar had announced to set Pervez Musharraf free of the charges.
It reads, “Musharraf was provided ample time to appear before the court and record his statement from the beginning of the case in 2013 till 2019, but he failed to appear.”
It added, “We, with the majority of 2 as to 1, allow the complaint and hold the accused guilty of high treason as defined at Article 6 of the Constitution and pass punishment under section 2 High Treason (Punishment) Act, 1973. Thus, the convict is hanged by his neck till he is dead.”
The judgment reads, “The judgment was pronounced in absentia of the accused after declaring him absconder.”
In his remarks, Justice Waqar stated to transport Musharraf’s body to D-Chowk of Islamabad if he expires before his punishment.
Click here to read a complete copy of the verdict
This is the first time in Pakistan’s history that a former army chief has been declared guilty of high treason and handed the death sentence.
Musharraf is currently in Dubai where he was admitted to a hospital after his health deteriorated earlier this month.
Read more: Musharraf handed death sentence in high treason case
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