Musharraf’s counsel rejects special court’s verdict

LAHORE (92 News) – Former president Pervez Musharraf’s lawyer Salman Safdar on Tuesday rejected the special court's verdict which pronounced death sentence to the former military ruler in high treason case. Addressing a press conference, Salman Safdar said that the former army chief was not given a fair trial and the decision to hand him the death penalty was announced in haste. “This verdict is worse than the decision to hang Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. There are various mistakes in the procedure,” said Musharraf’s counsel Safdar said that legal requirements were missing in the case and that an equal opportunity was not given to Musharraf. He added that it was unfortunate how a 77-year-old former president was tried for treason and not even heard. “Instead of the cabinet, only the prime minister gave the approval for the case against Musharraf,” he said. “Why weren't Shaukat Aziz and Justice (r) Abdul Hameed Dogar included as suspects in the case?” The former president’s lawyer said that the party will appeal against the verdict of the special court. “We were shocked by the decision that was announced by the special court today,” she said. Safdar said that the former army chief's legal team will have a detailed look at the verdict announced by the special court. “It remains a question how he can surrender given his medical condition,” said Safdar. “We will have a look at the verdict and then make a decision about this. Following the special court’s verdict, Pervez Musharraf’s lawyer Advocate Raza Bashir announced to challenge the verdict of the special court. He said that the verdict of the special court was ‘unconstitutional’ and the case against Pervez Musharraf was based on ‘political revenge’ and ‘malicious’. He complained that the verdict is surprising as neither the stance of Musharraf was heard despite his repeated requests nor his lawyer was given a chance to defend him. It added that the court has not included facilitators and inciters in the case. The statement also read that the decision for imposing the state of emergency had been made after consultations with the then cabinet, chief ministers, governors and corps commanders. Earlier today, the special court handed down death penalty to former president Pervez Musharraf in the high treason case. A three-member bench of the special court headed by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth and comprising of Justice Nazar Akbar of the Sindh High Court (SHC) and Justice Shahid Karim of the LHC announced the short verdict. However, one of the judge dissented from the sentence. According to the verdict, Pervez Musharraf had violated the constitution on November 3, 2007. It has been stated in the verdict that the violation of the constitution is proved against Pervez Musharraf and he is awarded death penalty under Article 6. The detailed judgment will be announced within 48 hours.