LAHORE – Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday took back its decision of allowing former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf to submit nomination papers for upcoming elections after he failed to appear before the court.
A four-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, was hearing Musharraf’s review petition against his disqualification by the Peshawar High Court in 2013 and directed the former military ruler to appear before the top court’s Lahore registry.
During the hearing, the top judge inquired whether the chief of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) will attend the hearing.
He said that the court had given him time till 2pm, adding that if Musharraf intended to come, then we will wait for him.
The chief justice ordered deputy attorney general to submit reply regarding the return of Musharraf immediately and adjourned court for short break.
Later, Counsel for former army chief, Qamarul Fazal, informed the court that his client was not coming back to Pakistan, citing the reason that Musharraf was not coming to Pakistan due to prevailing situation and Eid holidays.
To which, the court reversed its decision to allow him for filing nomination papers and adjourned hearing for an indefinite period.
After the court orders, the former military ruler could not be able to take part in elections, set to be held on July 25.
On Wednesday, the former military ruler had been granted time until Thursday afternoon to appear before the apex court.
The top judge remarked that if the former president does not show up in court by 2 pm tomorrow, the law would take its course and a decision would be taken.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/supreme-court-grants-musharraf-another-day-to-appear-before-court/
“We’ve already said that if Musharraf returns, he will be provided with security. We are not bound to provide a written guarantee in this regard,” remarked Chief justice Mian Saqib Nisar.
H went a mile more and taunted that instead of lip service, the former president should land back in the country.
“If Pervez Musharraf is a commando, he should show us by returning, instead of continuously parroting that he will return like a politician,” the CJP observed.
Last week, the apex court had allowed Musharraf to file nomination papers to contest the July 25 general elections. The bench had conditioned that he would appear in person before the court on June 13 (today) at its Lahore registry to attend the court hearing, however, Musharraf did not show up.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/supreme-court-summons-general-r-pervez-musharraf-with-no-arrest-assurance/
Musharraf submitted on Monday his nomination papers for three National Assembly seats through his aid.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/musharraf-submits-nomination-papers-for-3-na-constituencies/
The nomination papers of Musharraf were submitted for NA-1 (Chitral), NA-188 (Layyah) and NA-247 (Karachi), according to an All Pakistan Muslim League statement.
