ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – In a historic ruling, Pakistan’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who had been convicted of high treason by a special court. The special court had found Musharraf guilty of imposing a state of emergency in 2007, thereby suspending the constitution.
The decision to uphold the death sentence comes after the Lahore High Court had previously declared the proceedings of the special court as unconstitutional. However, the Supreme Court, with a four-member bench, overturned the Lahore High Court’s decision.
Former President Musharraf, who passed away in 2023, had been living in self-exile in the UAE since 2016 to avoid facing criminal charges in Pakistan. He had been sentenced to death in absentia due to illness and being out of the country.
This case marks the first time a former military dictator in Pakistan has been punished for subverting the constitution. The charges stemmed from Musharraf’s imposition of a state of emergency in 2007, leading to accusations of high treason for abrogating the Constitution.
The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the death sentence has prompted mixed reactions, particularly from the country’s powerful military, which has historically played a significant role in Pakistan’s politics. This marks a significant moment in the country’s legal and political history.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the death sentence of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in a high treason case has brought a significant moment in Pakistan’s legal history. This landmark judgment sends a strong message about the accountability of those who hold power, regardless of their position.