Treason Case: Pakistan Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Musharraf

A Pakistani special court, on Friday, issued an arrest warrant without bail for former military ruler General (retd), Pervez Musharraf for high treason, Dawn News reported. The three member judge panel headed by Justice Faisal Arab of the Sindh High Court issued the warrant after he failed to appear for the court proceedings in a treason case charged against him.

Musharraf is facing charges of subverting the constitution in 2007, when he imposed emergency rule and fired top members of the judiciary. According to the court order, the warrant would take effect on March 31 and Musharraf would be arrested if he fails to appear for a court hearing that day. Musharraf is currently in a military hospital in Rawalpindi and has repeatedly avoided appearing before the special court, citing medical and security concerns.

Pakistani intelligence agencies had warned Musharraf, earlier in the week that he could be targeted by Al Qaeda and Taliban militants during his travel from the military hospital to the capital. Musharraf led Pakistan from 1999 until he was forced to resign in 2008 and was an important ally of the United States in its efforts against Islamic extremism and militancy. While in power, he survived several assassination attempts from Al Qaeda and Taliban militants. The special court panel, however, has insisted that Musharraf should appear before the court to be indicted and has directed Islamabad police officials to ensure stringent security measures.

Infoeditor