ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has upheld the death sentence of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in a high treason case. The decision was announced by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, who deemed the Lahore High Court’s previous verdict as unsustainable, thereby setting it aside.
This ruling comes after a special court in Islamabad found Musharraf guilty of high treason in December 2019 under Article 6 of the Constitution, marking the first time in Pakistan’s history that a military chief had been declared guilty and punished. However, the Lahore High Court declared all actions against Musharraf as unconstitutional, leading to the abolition of the death penalty handed down to him.
The Supreme Court had fixed for hearing a set of appeals, including one filed by the late military dictator and appeals against his acquittal. The counsels in the matter primarily challenged the Lahore High Court’s decision, questioning its jurisdiction and the maintainability of Musharraf’s petition.
Throughout the proceedings, the judges scrutinized the Lahore High Court’s decision, pointing out that it addressed issues beyond the scope of the initial petition. Despite attempts to contact Musharraf’s legal heirs, the court dismissed the set of appeals, upholding the death sentence.
The Supreme Court’s decision confirms the high treason conviction of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, marking a historic moment in Pakistan’s legal history.