Pakistan summons Musharraf over treason case
Top court orders former military ruler to appear over treason allegations and has barred him from leaving the country.
Last Modified: 08 Apr 2013 11:13
Musharraf returned to Pakistan last month after four years in exile to run for parliament in general elections [AFP]
Pakistan's former leader Pervez Musharraf has been ordered to appear in court over treason allegations and has barred him from leaving the country.
The orders were issued on Monday after the country's Supreme Court heard applications from lawyers that the former military ruler was to face a treason trial for imposing emergency rule and arresting judges in November 2007.
"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.
Khawaja, part of a two-member bench of the top court, heard the petition against Musharraf on Monday after Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry recused himself from the initially formed three-member bench.
Musharraf returned to Pakistan on March 24 after four years of exile to run for parliament in the May 11 general election, a move he said was intended to "save" the troubled nuclear-armed state.
Source: Agencies
