Supreme Court summons Musharraf

[Naveed Yaseen]

* 14-member SC bench seeks former president’s justification for imposing emergency rule in 2007
* Musharraf asked to appear in court on July 23 in person or through lawyer

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered former president Gen ® Pervez Musharraf to answer questions next week about his decisions to oust the judiciary and impose emergency rule in 2007.

“In terms of Order 25 Rule 9 of the Supreme Court Rules 1980, issue notice to General ® Pervez Musharraf, leaving for him an opportunity to appear before the court or otherwise, notice be issued to his residence in Islamabad,” a 14-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said in its order, asking the former president to appear on June 29, in person or through a lawyer.

The bench heard petitions filed by the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) against non-confirmation of two SHC judges, Justice Zafar Ahmed Khan Sherwani and Justice Abdul Rasheed Kalwar, and challenging the appointment of judges who took oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO).

Resuming his arguments, SHCBA’s lawyer Hamid Khan said the Nov 3, 2007 emergency was imposed for the benefit of a single individual.

Compliance is not mandatory, but failure to show up will mean Musharraf will have no further chances to defend himself in a case that is aimed at determining whether it was constitutional for him to oust the judiciary and impose emergency rule in November 2007. Attorney General Sardar Latif Khosa said this would be Musharraf’s only opportunity to defend himself.

“We’ve made it clear to the bench that we aren’t prepared to defend him. The government doesn’t consider his actions lawful or constitutional,” Khosa said after the hearing. Musharraf’s moves in late 2007 triggered nationwide protests and were seen by political opponents as a bid to extend his presidency for another five years.

However, the unpopularity of emergency rule, together with the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, weakened support for Musharraf.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg1_1