Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Saturday, alluding to an earlier statement by deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, said that former president Pervez Musharraf’s return to the country should not be construed as a threat by any individual.
“How can Musharraf harm anyone?” the chief justice asked during the hearing of a case at Karachi registry of the apex court.
The chief justice said that the former president should return to Pakistan and face the law. “We have summoned Musharraf but people feel threatened by his return,” he remarked.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court had summoned former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on June 13 in response to a petition against his lifetime disqualification to contest the elections in view of the Peshawar High Court’s 2013 judgement. The court had also assured the Musharraf’s counsel that the former president would not be arrested. It also allowed the returning officers to receive his nomination papers for the upcoming elections. However, acceptance of his nomination papers will be subject to the outcome of the case.
Nawaz Sharif had lamented the decision stating that while a former military dictator was enjoying virtual immunity despite violating the constitution, he had been barred from visiting his ailing wife in London.
Published in Daily Times, June 10th 2018.
