Musharraf to face trial for treason

Charges

• Emergency, subversion of Constitution
• Killing of a Baluch rebel leader in 2006
• Sacking of judges in 2007
• Murder of former PM Benazir Bhutto

Current status He won bail for sacking judges and in connection with the 2007 murder of Bhutto, but remains under house arrest over the 2006 killing of a Baluch rebel leader Musharraf violated the constitution twice. He overthrew an elected government in 1999 and put everything into jeopardy. He sacked judges and imprisoned them. Musharraf's actions came under the purview of high treason - PM Nawaz Sharif Islamabaad (PTI): Pakistan's new government said on Monday it would put former military ruler PervezMusharraf on trial for treason, charges punishable by death or life imprisonment. The retired general, who returned from four years of self-imposed exile in March, has been under house arrest at his villa on the edge of Islamabad since April 19. He is fighting a series of cases dating back to his 1999-2008 rule, which began when he seized power from then prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who returned to office this month after winning landmark elections. "Musharraf's actions came under the purview of high treason," Prime MinisterNawaz Sharif told parliament. "He should face trial... and will have to answer for his guilt before the court," he added. The attorney general delivered the same statement on behalf of the government in the Supreme Court, where a treason trial can be initiated only by the state. Pakistan's highest court has for months been hearing a petition from lawyers demanding that Musharraf be tried for treason for subverting the Constitution by imposing emergency rule and sacking judges in 2007. Before May 11 general elections swept Sharif back to power, a caretaker government had refused to initiate the trial against Musharraf, saying it was beyond its mandate and up to the new, elected government. Sharif did not mince his words."Musharraf violated the constitution twice. He overthrew an elected government in 1999 and put everything into jeopardy. He sacked judges and imprisoned them," said Sharif. "We will follow the process of law and all political forces will be taken into confidence," he added. Musharraf faces three other cases dating back to his rule. The former military dictator has won bail for sacking judges and in connection with the 2007 murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, but remains under house arrest over the 2006 killing of a Baluch rebel leader. He is serving his house arrest at his luxury villa in the upmarket suburb of Chak Shahzad on the edge of Islamabad. He is also currently barred from leaving the country.