The Supreme Court of Pakistan has upheld the late former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf’s death penalty, despite his passing on February 5, 2023, in Dubai after battling a prolonged illness. The decision maintains the sentence handed down to Musharraf by a special court in 2019 in a high treason case.
General Pervez Musharraf, known for his role in the Kargil War of 1999 and as Pakistan’s final military ruler, had been residing in self-exile in the UAE since 2016 to evade legal charges in Pakistan.
A four-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and including Justices Mansoor Ali Shah, Aminuddin Khan, and Athar Minallah, presided over the hearing. The case stemmed from allegations of high treason against Musharraf during the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party’s tenure. The charges specifically pertained to his imposition of emergency rule in November 2007, deemed unconstitutional by the court.
In December 2019, a special court sentenced the former Pakistani President to death in absentia for his actions. Despite Musharraf’s demise, the top court addressed an appeal filed by him against the earlier death sentence. The court’s ruling acknowledged the penalty’s inefficacy due to non-compliance, yet it affirmed the original verdict.
This decision to uphold the death penalty for Musharraf posthumously has drawn attention and raised questions about legal proceedings concerning high-profile cases and their implications, especially when they involve individuals who have passed away. The Supreme Court’s stance underscores the adherence to legal procedures despite the convict’s demise.
Musharraf’s death abroad has sparked discussions on legal and judicial intricacies concerning the pursuit of justice and the application of sentences in similar cases involving high-ranking figures, even after their passing. The court’s ruling stands as a testament to the judiciary’s commitment to upholding legal norms and maintaining the sanctity of judicial decisions, irrespective of the defendant’s status.
Sources By Agencies
