A session court on Monday directed the capital's police to register a criminal case against former President Pervez Musharraf on charge of illegally keeping the Chief Justice and other senior judges of the Supreme Court under house arrest along with their children after imposition of emergency on November 3, 2007.
Additional session judge Muhammad Akmal Khan passed this order on a petition filed by Aslam Ghuman, an advocate. The petitioner maintained that Musharraf had put judges of apex court and their children under illegal house arrest to subordinate the judiciary and prolong his rule.
The judge observed that the federal law ministry has failed to present its position on the petition although the court had given enough time. The court has directed the chief of Secretariat police station to record statement of the petitioner against former president and register the first information report (FIR). Deputy Attorney General, Mehfooz Paracha, was also present in the court during the hearing to represent the federal government.
Meanwhile eminent jurist and leader of Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan has said the government can launch a treason case against Musharraf for subverting the constitution without waiting for any resolution of the parliament.
Former premier Nawaz Sharif also chided Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani for linking government’s action to adoption of a 'unanimous' resolution by the parliament. "This amounts to protecting the General from any trial because a unanimous resolution is neither possible nor is it required,” Sharif who is currently in Dubai said, while addressing a meeting of party workers.
He said since no trial of any dictator was held in the country in the past, it has encouraged the military adventurers to subvert the constitution one after another.
Nawaz said his party would support the government for formulating constitutional reforms in the country. “We wish that the incumbent government completes its tenure. We will not allow it to go astray and will not become part of any sort of committees, if the government continues its delaying tactics,” he added.
