Musharraf summoned in treason case

• SC orders authorities not to let him leave country
• Former President to appear before court today

Islamabad (PTI): The Supreme Court on Monday ordered former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to appear before it on Tuesday to face treason allegations even as it directed the government to ensure that the ex-President does not leave Pakistan. A two-judge bench led by Justice Jawad S Khwaja issued the directives after hearing preliminary arguments on five petitions seeking Musharraf's trial for treason for subverting the constitution and declaring an emergency in 2007. The bench said Musharraf or his lawyer should appear in court tomorrow to respond to the allegations. It ordered the Interior Secretary to take steps to prevent Musharraf from travelling abroad and to put his name on the 'Exit Control List'. The petitioners asked the apex court to direct the government to prosecute Musharraf under the High Treason (Punishment) Act of 1973. "It is necessary to issue notice to the respondents in these petitions. The office shall ensure service of notice to the respondents for tomorrow," Justice Khwaja said. The Interior Ministry should ensure that "the respondent (Musharraf) does not leave the jurisdiction of Pakistan", he said. Most of the petitions against Musharraf have been filed by lawyers who want the former military strongman tried for treason for imposing emergency and deposing dozens of judges in 2007. "Musharraf should be prosecuted for high treason because he is guilty of subverting the Constitution," lawyer Hamid Khan told the court. The lawyers pointed out that the Senate or upper house of parliament had passed a resolution in January 2012 that said Musharraf should be arrested on his return but the government had not acted on it. The lawyers further argued that the government had failed to act on an earlier Supreme Court order directing authorities to take action against Musharraf for violating the Constitution. Justice Khwaja remarked that the apex court had already declared the emergency imposed by Musharraf in 2007 as unconstitutional and asked what action authorities had taken against him. Justice Khilji Arif, the other member of the bench, said the Constitution states that those who violate it must be tried under Article 6, which relates to high treason.