High treason case: Musharraf files appeal against SC registrar's decision

Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf (retd) on Thursday filed an appeal against Supreme Court registrar's decision of refusing to entertain his appeal against the Special Court's decision in the high treason case.

In January, the Registrar Office returned Musharraf's plea after raising an objection under Supreme Court Rules 1980 that says a convict has to surrender to the authorities before filing an appeal.

Pervez Musharraf has challenged Special Court's judgment to award him death sentence in high treason case, saying he has been denied the right to a fair trial under Article 10-A of Constitution.

Barrister Salman Safdar has filed the appeal on behalf of the ex-COAS. He has submitted that since the Special Court proceeded in his absence and had also convicted him in his absence, therefore he qualifies to be heard at appeal in his absence.

The ex-COAS stated that he was being tried for an alleged constitutional crime in an entirely unconstitutional manner.

He has been denied the right to a fair trial, squarely against Article 10-A of the Constitution.

Even his counsel was not allowed to assist the learned Special Court in a case carrying capital punishment.

Special Court presided over by Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) Waqar Ahmed Seth, Justice Nazar Akbar of the Sindh High Court (SHC) and Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on December 17, 2019, with 2-1 handed down death sentence to Pervez Musharraf.

Former President Musharraf was accused of suspending and abrogating constitution on 3rd November, 2007, and promulgated emergency and Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) in the country.