Consulted top brass before 2007 Emergency, claims Musharraf
Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has for the first time blamed the country’s senior civilian and military leadership for his decision to impose emergency in 2007 by saying they had been consulted before taking the decision
By : migrator
Update: 2015-12-24 04:06 GMT
Islamabad
Musharraf, 72, is facing treason charges under a case launched in 2013 for suspending the Constitution by declaring emergency on November 3, 2007. In a statement recorded before the joint investigation team of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the former president described ex-army chief General Parvez Kayani as the principal offender in the case. He said Kayani, who became the chief of army staff on November 27, 2007, did not revoke the emergency.
“By not revoking the same, General Kayani is also a principal offender,” he alleged. The former military ruler insisted that in addition to Kayani he had consulted the senior military and civilian leadership, including the then Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz before imposing the emergency. He said since he acted upon the advice of the then Prime Minister and his cabinet in imposing the emergency, he was not responsible. Under the 1973 constitution, abrogation of the constitution will be an act of high treason, liable to death under Pakistan’s treason laws. Musharraf lives in Karachi as he cannot leave the country under a court order.
Case History
- Pervez Musharraf seized control of government in 1999, after staging coup
- Called for free and fair elections in 2002
- In 2004, he replaced prime Minister Jamali with Shaukat Aziz
- On November 7, 2007, suspended Constitution and imposed Emergency
- February 2008, general elections held. PPP wins
- In August 2008, facing impeachment for Emergency declaration, Musharraf resigned In November, becomes exile in London
- In March 2013, returned to fight polls, but rejected
- In April placed under house arrest
- Booked in 2013, for declaring Emergency in 2007
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