Musharraf may be forced to return disgracefully: CJP
Islamabad, Oct. 2: Irked by former dictator Pervez Musharraf ’ s failure to come back to Pakistan and face ongoing cases against him, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar on Tuesday warned that if the “courageous commando” does not appear soon, he may be forced to return in a disgraceful manner.
Chief Justice Nisar made the remarks when Musharraf ’ s lawyer told the three- judge bench that his client “respects the court” but was unable to return due to his medical condition and reservations over the provision of security, Dawn newspaper reported.
Mr Musharraf, 75, who has been living in Dubai since 2016, is facing the high- profile treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007. The former military ruler left for Dubai in March 2016 for medical treatment and has not returned since.
His lawyer told the court that there were no charges against the former President in the Lal Masjid operation case and demanded to know what the case against his client was, the paper reported.
He may not face any charges in the Lal Masjid case, but he is facing a treason case for which he ◗ Chief Justice Saqib Nisar on warned that if the ‘ courageous commando’ does not appear soon, he may be forced to return in a disgraceful manner
must appear in court, replied Chief Justice Nisar.
If Musharraf returns voluntarily, he may be able to do so respectably otherwise he may be compelled to return under circumstances which are not “graceful”, the top judge warned. “The commando who used to describe himself as a ‘ courageous commando’ should today display that courage,” the top judge was quoted as saying by the paper.
“Why is the courageous commando not returning?” he asked. “I told you before that if he returns, he will be provided security,” he said.