Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered former president Pervez Musharraf to appear in person Tuesday over treason allegations and barred him from leaving the country. The hearing will continue on April 9.
The court issued notices to Musharraf and the federal government to submit their stance regarding the issue.
“It is necessary to issue notice to the respondents in these petitions. The office shall ensure service of notice to the respondents for tomorrow,” Justice Jawad Khawaja told the court, referring to Musharraf and the state.
Government officials should “ensure that the respondent (Musharraf) does not leave the jurisdiction of Pakistan”, he added.
Musharraf returned to Pakistan on March 24 after four years of exile to run for parliament in the May 11 general election.
The Supreme Court heard applications to put Musharraf on trial for treason, the latest in a series of problems he has faced since his return home last month.
But the Supreme Court on Monday heard petitions brought by various lawyers who want Musharraf tried for treason for imposing emergency rule and arresting judges in 2007, a move that ultimately paved the way for his downfall.
“Musharraf should be prosecuted for high treason because he is guilty of subversion of constitution,” lawyer Hamid Khan told the court.
Justice Jawad Khawaja said the court had already declared the emergency rule imposed by Musharraf in 2007 as unconstitutional and asked what action the state had taken in response.
Musharraf faces a number of other legal cases. He has been bailed over the 2007 killing of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and a Baluch rebel leader in 2006, and for sacking and arresting judges in 2007.
He has been approved to stand for election only in the remote northern area of Chitral on the Afghan border, after his application to stand in three other constitutencies — in Islamabad, Karachi and Punjab province — were rejected.
The May election will be the first democratic transition of power in Pakistan.
