Asif Hassan—AFP
Former president could be allowed to leave Pakistan to seek medical treatment abroad.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the government to lift a travel ban on former president Pervez Musharraf, a move that could let him leave the country while awaiting trial for treason.
Musharraf’s lawyers say he needs to go abroad for urgent spinal treatment not available in Pakistan. He was placed on the “Exit Control List” (ECL) in 2013 after he returned to the country on an ill-fated mission to contest elections. The former ruler was barred from taking part in the polls and instead forced to face a barrage of legal cases.
Last June, the Sindh High Court removed his name from the ECL, but the federal government, headed by long-time rival Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, appealed the verdict.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali announced that the government’s appeal had been dismissed. But he said the government or a separate court could technically pass a fresh travel ban if they provided valid reasons.
Faisal Hussain, one of Musharraf’s lawyers, welcomed the verdict. “He can leave any time any time now—there is no impediment or hurdle,” he said. “It is between him and his doctor now where he wants to be treated.”
In January Musharraf was acquitted over the 2006 killing of Baloch rebel leader Nawab Akbar Bugti. The decision meant there are now four outstanding cases against him, all dating from 2007—including treason for the imposition of emergency rule, the unlawful dismissal of judges, the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in a gun and suicide attack, and the raid on the Lal Masjid.
1 comment
lifting of travel ban on Musharraf is a validation that generals are superior human being and are beyond law ,law is for common people if it has been decided by pml n then this party has been sink and if it has been dictated then there is question on the creation of Pakistan and Kashmir cause.