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Pakistan political parties hail Musharraf's death sentence as historic

A television screen displays the news after Pakistani court sentenced former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to death on charges of high treason and subverting the constitution, at a shop in Karachi. (AFP)
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Updated 18 December 2019
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Pakistan political parties hail Musharraf's death sentence as historic

  • Former military dictator Gen. Pervez Musharraf was sentenced to death in a high treason case on Tuesday 
  • Legal experts say the death sentence will put an end to future military takeovers
Updated 18 December 2019
Naimat Khan

KARACHI: Pakistan’s mainstream political parties and legal experts hailed the special court’s decision to convict former President Gen. Pervez Musharraf of high treason on Tuesday as “historic,” and said the ruling would prevent military takeovers in future.

A three-member bench of the special court in Islamabad sentenced the retired general to death in a landmark decision for a country, which since independence in 1947 for half of its existence had been ruled by the all-powerful military.

The court said a detailed judgment would be released in 48 hours.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which started the high treason case against Musharraf, called Tuesday’s judgment “highly encouraging.”

“This is a highly encouraging judgment, which has finally proved that no one is above the law,” PML-N central leader Senator Mushahidullah Khan said, adding that the decision will strengthen the judiciary and prevent future violations of the Constitution.

Siraj-ul-Haq, the chief of country’s right-wing religious-politico party Jamat-e-Islami, took to Twitter saying, “A historic decision pronounced for the first time in 72 years to strengthen democracy and uphold rule of law.” 

“It is the government’s responsibility to bring Pervez Musharraf back to the country now. Those who sent him abroad should also be held accountable before the nation,” he tweeted. 

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari tweeted cheered the decision with his party slogan “democracy is the best revenge.”


 The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) said in a statement that in the light of the Constitution, those supporting a person who violates it also deserve punishment, which in Musharraf’s case has not happened.

A leader of Musharraf’s own All Pakistan Muslim League, Mehrene Malik Adam, called the verdict “appalling.”

“We are appalled at today’s verdict against former President Pervez Musharraf, which was announced without hearing him, despite a repeated request by the former president not to announce the decision in his absence and to give him the right to defend himself before the special court,” Adam said, adding that her party sees the trial as “pursued in the most unconstitutional way.”

Musharraf’s lawyer Salman Safdar said the judgment was “announced in haste,” and the conviction of his client in absentia “doesn’t have any legal foundation to stand on,” he told Arab News, calling the sentence “unconstitutional and illegal” and the case “politically motivated.”

“The sentence will be overturned in appeal,” he said.

The government, which had earlier submitted an application against the announcement of the special court’s decision, did not appear entirely happy about the ruling.

“The time demands that the country should be united. In whose benefit are such decisions that divide the nation and its institutions,” Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said in a tweet.

Defense analyst Air Marshal (retired) Shahid Latif posted on the micro-blogging site, “Sad day in the history of Pakistan, where a judgment has been given without hearing the defendant. Also, General Musharraf has been singled out in this case shows the Mala fide of Nawaz Sharif and Iftikhar Chaudhary. Justice must be seen to be done! #Musharraf“

Hamid Khan, a senior Pakistani lawyer who has also served as the senior vice president of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), defended the judiciary.

“This is a landmark judgment, which will make the military generals think several times about the consequences before thinking of a coup,” he told Arab News, adding that Article 6 of the Constitution has finally been implemented.

Musharraf seized power in October 1999 by toppling the civilian government of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup. He remained in power until 2008.

According to Article 6, any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance (or attempts to do so) the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other unconstitutional means, shall be guilty of high treason. Any person aiding or abetting these acts shall likewise be guilty of high treason. In light of Article 6, high treason shall not be validated by any court, including the Supreme Court.

Topics: Pakistan Pervez Musharraf High Treason Pak Army

Pakistan defends military court sentencing of civilians after US, UK and EU voice concerns

Updated 5 sec ago
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Pakistan defends military court sentencing of civilians after US, UK and EU voice concerns

  • Pakistan’s military on Dec. 21 announced the sentencing of 25 civilians for partaking in violent protests in May last year
  • The US, UK and EU said the verdicts were ‘inconsistent’ with Pakistan’s international obligations and lacked ‘transparency’
Updated 5 sec ago
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday defended the recent sentencing of 25 civilians by military courts for partaking in violent protests last year, dismissing concerns expressed by the United States (US), United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) regarding Islamabad’s global human rights obligations.
Pakistan’s military on Dec. 21 announced the sentencing of 25 people to “rigorous imprisonment” of two to 10 years for participating in violent protests on May 9, 2023, when hundreds carrying flags of former prime minister Imran Khan’s party attacked government and military installations.
The protests erupted after Khan’s brief detention on corruption charges, resulting in damage to major military facilities and martyrs’ monuments in the country. Khan’s party challenges the military’s version, denying it was involved in the violence and calling the May 9 incident a “false flag” operation aimed at crushing it.
The EU said on Sunday the sentencing was “inconsistent” with Pakistan’s international obligations and every person was entitled to a “fair and public trial in a court that is independent, impartial and competent.” The US and the UK joined the EU in expressing concern over the convictions, with the State Department saying on Monday the Pakistani military courts lacked “judicial independence and due process guarantees.”
“Pakistan’s legal system is consistent with international human rights law including provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). It has remedies of judicial review by the superior courts and guarantees promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement.
“Pakistan is fully committed to fulfilling all its international human rights obligations.”
The Foreign Office in London said while the UK respected Pakistan’s sovereignty over its own legal proceedings, “trying civilians in military courts lacks transparency, independent scrutiny and undermines the right to a fair trial.”
In its statement on Sunday, the EU had noted that under the its Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), beneficiary countries, including Pakistan, had voluntarily agreed to effectively implement 27 international core conventions, including the ICCPR, in order to continue benefitting from the special trade arrangement. The preferential trade status under the GSP+ scheme grants Pakistani exports duty-free access to the European market.
The Pakistani foreign ministry responded by saying that the verdicts had been made under a law enacted by the Pakistan parliament and in line with a judgment of the country’s top court.
The Dec. 21 announcement of sentences by the military followed a ruling by a seven-member Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Dec. 13, in which it allowed the military courts to share their verdicts. Prior to that, the top court had unanimously declared last year that prosecuting civilians in military courts was in violation of the Constitution.
“Pakistan believes in constructive and productive dialogue to promote principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We remain fully committed to implementing our commitments under the GSP Plus Scheme and core international human rights conventions,” the foreign ministry said.
“We will continue to engage with our international partners including the European Union to uphold the international human rights law, without any discrimination and double standards.”
The sentencing of civilians in May 2023 riots cases has also raised concerns among supporters of ex-PM Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023 on a slew of charges, including inciting attacks against the armed forces, and may potentially be tried in a military court.
Pakistan has remained gripped by political unrest and uncertainty since Khan’s ouster from power through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022, which has also exacerbated Pakistan’s economic hardships.
The Pakistani government this week opened talks with Khan’s PTI opposition party in a bid to address political polarization. Senior government representatives have also recently acknowledged that the negotiations could offer a pathway out of the current political impasse.

Topics: military trial military courts May 9 protests

South Africa opt for all-pace attack in first Test against Pakistan

Updated 43 min 43 sec ago
AFP
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South Africa opt for all-pace attack in first Test against Pakistan

  • The two-match series is crucial for South Africa, who will qualify for next year’s World Test Championship final if they win one of the matches
  • Pakistan have only won two out of 15 Tests in South Africa but they will go into the series on the back of a convincing 3-0 one-day series win
Updated 43 min 43 sec ago
AFP

CENTURION: South African captain Temba Bavuma on Tuesday announced an all-pace attack for the first Test against Pakistan starting at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Thursday.
The two-match series is crucial for South Africa, who will qualify for next year’s World Test Championship final if they win one of the matches.
“We back our seamers at Centurion,” Bavuma said at his pre-match press conference.
Fast bowler Corbin Bosch will make his debut for a team missing several leading pace bowlers because of injury. He plays for the Titans provincial team whose home ground is at Centurion.
Bosch, 30, is the son of the late Tertius Bosch, who played in South Africa’s first post-isolation Test, against the West Indies in Barbados in 1992.
“He will be playing at the venue where he has made a name for himself in the provincial set-up,” said Bavuma. “He adds that element of extra pace. He’s a big, strong guy who hits the deck hard and he offers a role with the bat as well.”
Bosch bowled at more than 140kmh (87mph) when he made his one-day international debut against Pakistan in Johannesburg on Sunday and hit 40 not out as a lower-order batsman.
Bavuma said his players were aware of the significance of being on the verge of reaching the world championship final.
“We know what’s at stake. There’s confidence and belief because of the good cricket we have played over the last while. Nothing has happened by accident.”
South Africa’s progress in the Test championship final has come despite Cricket South Africa’s deliberate downgrading of Test cricket to accommodate a high-profile Twenty20 franchise series.
South Africa’s schedule of 12 Tests — all in two-match series — is the joint lowest with Bangladesh in the championship cycle. England have played 22 matches, while Australia and India will have played 19 each when they complete their fixtures.
The system of average points has propelled South Africa to the top of the table despite virtually forfeiting a series in New Zealand when coach Shukri Conrad was prevented from selecting any players contracted to the SA20 league.
South Africa did not play against Australia or England and their only series against one of the “big three” Test nations was a tied one against India.
Pakistan have only won two out of 15 Tests in South Africa but will go into the series on the back of a convincing 3-0 one-day series win. Seven of the Pakistan squad and eight of the South African Test team players were involved in the one-day games.
Teams:
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson.
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.

Topics: Pakistan vs South Africa

Azeri air and ground crew undergo training at Pakistan Air Force base

Updated 24 December 2024
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Azeri air and ground crew undergo training at Pakistan Air Force base

  • A high-level Azerbaijani delegation also called on Pakistan’s air chief on Tuesday to discuss training cooperation
  • The visit signifies resolute commitment of both countries to reinforce military partnership, Pakistani military says
Updated 24 December 2024
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has been enhancing operational capabilities of the Azerbaijan Air Force by training Azeri air and ground crews at an operational Pakistani base, the Pakistani military said on Tuesday.
The statement came after a high-level Azerbaijani delegation, comprising Deputy Defense Minister Agil Gurbanov and Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Namig Islamzade, called on Pakistan’s air chief, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, at the Air Headquarters in Islamabad.
The officials discussed the importance of training cooperation, with Air Chief Marshal Sidhu reaffirming his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in operational and training areas, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
“He noted that the [ongoing] training program is on schedule, with over 50 percent of the training objectives successfully achieved,” the ISPR said in a statement.
“He further emphasized that the initiative is expected to culminate within one-month timeframe, reflecting the commitment of PAF to enhance the operational capabilities of Azerbaijan Air Force.”
The air chief highlighted the PAF’s recent accomplishments, reflecting his vision of operational excellence in modern warfare, according to the ISPR.
The visiting dignitaries lauded the professionalism demonstrated by PAF personnel and their notable progress in developing a thriving domestic capability in the aviation industry in a short timeframe.
“The dignitaries expressed satisfaction on the training imparted to 70 aircrew & technicians getting trained in PAF and expressed their desire for enhanced Air Force to Air Force collaboration between the two sides,” the ISPR statement read.
“Emphasizing on the need to adapting to the evolving landscape of modern warfare, the Azerbaijan military leadership also proposed the establishment of a more comprehensive training regimen focusing on niche and disruptive technologies, as well as cyber and electronic warfare capabilities.”
Later the delegation visited the PAF Cyber Command at the Air Headquarters, where it was briefed about the operational capabilities and ongoing projects of PAF’s modernization drive.
The Pakistani military said the visit of the high-level defense delegation from Azerbaijan signified a resolute commitment of both countries to reinforce their military partnership, fostering collaboration and promoting robust relations.
In recent months, there has been a flurry of visits by Azerbaijani officials to Pakistan, highlighting the growing cooperation between the two countries in various sectors. Pakistan, which has been facing an economic crisis, is currently making efforts to position itself as a pivotal trade and transit hub connecting Central Asian states and China with the rest of the world.
In July, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev’s arrived in Pakistan on a two-day visit, during which both nations agreed to enhance the volume of bilateral trade to $2 billion and vowed to increase cooperation in mutually beneficial economic projects.
Last week, Pakistan waived customs and regulatory duties on imports from Azerbaijan under the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Preferential Trade Agreement. The agreement signed on July 11 aimed to boost economic cooperation by reducing tariffs on goods like Pakistan’s sports equipment, leather, and pharmaceuticals apart from Azerbaijan’s oil and gas products.

Topics: pakistan air force pakistan azerbaijan ties

Pakistan’s Imran Khan demands ‘time frame’ for progress in talks with government

Updated 24 December 2024
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Pakistan’s Imran Khan demands ‘time frame’ for progress in talks with government

  • The jailed ex-premier seeks a meeting with his negotiating team to get the details of the process
  • Government asked Khan’s PTI to bring its demands in writing in the next round of talks on Jan. 2
Updated 24 December 2024
Muhammad Ibrahim

ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday called for a “time frame” within which negotiations with the government should progress and the demands of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, including the release of political prisoners, should be addressed.
Khan’s message was conveyed by Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, chairman of PTI, after meeting the ex-premier at a high-security prison in Rawalpindi. The former prime minister, who has been imprisoned for over a year on charges he claims are politically motivated, has threatened to launch a civil disobedience movement by urging overseas Pakistanis to halt remittances if his demands are not met.
Khan’s demands include the release of all PTI political prisoners and the establishment of judicial commissions to investigate violent protests on May 9 last year and Nov. 26 this year, which the government claims involved PTI supporters.
His insistence on a time frame comes just a day after the government initiated formal negotiations with the PTI, asking it to bring all its demands in writing.
“I informed Khan Sahib about the negotiations that have started,” Gohar said while speaking to the media after the meeting. “Khan Sahib said it’s a good thing that negotiations are taking place, but there should be a time frame within which progress should be made.”
Asked about the exact time frame he had in mind, Gohar said Khan had not specified one, only emphasizing that progress on his party’s demands should happen “as soon as possible.”
He described his interaction with Khan as a “routine meeting” lasting half an hour.
Gohar said PTI plans to present its charter of demands in the next round of talks, scheduled for Jan. 2, and expressed hope for meaningful results.
Meanwhile, Khan reiterated his stance through a post on X, formerly Twitter, calling for his nominated negotiation team to meet him.
“To make the negotiation process meaningful, it is important that I meet with my nominated negotiation team so that I can have a proper understanding of what is going on,” he said.
The ex-premier maintained that his party would postpone the civil disobedience movement if its demands were implemented but expressed skepticism about the government’s willingness to investigate the May 9 and November 26 incidents.
“We will not allow that to happen,” he added.

Topics: Imran Khan Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party adiala jail Gohar Khan

Pakistan Railways starts manufacturing new coaches after technology transfer from China

Updated 24 December 2024
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Pakistan Railways starts manufacturing new coaches after technology transfer from China

  • Pakistan will assemble 184 new passenger coaches at Railways Carriage Factory in Islamabad in next three years
  • China is also helping Pakistan upgrade and dualize an existing Main Line- 1 rail track from Karachi till Peshawar
Updated 24 December 2024
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways (PR) has started production of new train coaches in the country, Pakistani state media reported on Tuesday, following the transfer of technology from China.
The South Asian country has been able to locally produce high-speed passenger coaches and goods wagons using technology transferred by China, according to media reports.
China has also helped build capacity of PR engineers and technicians who have succeeded in manufacturing new coaches and wagons at workshops in Lahore and Islamabad.
"As many as 184 new passenger coaches would also be assembled at Pakistan Railways Carriage Factory, Islamabad during the next three years," the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) state news agency reported, citing a railways official.
PR Executive Officer Amir Ali Baloch said that a new Green Line-styled train will be run between Lahore and Karachi soon, according to the Radio Pakistan broadcaster.
He said he had issued orders to further improve the quality of food and drink in trains, and requested public to take special care of cleanliness.
Last month, China and Pakistan discussed advancement of rail, road and economic zone projects under the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to connect China to the Arabian Sea through a network of roads, railways, pipelines and ports in Pakistan and help Islamabad expand and modernize its economy.
The discussions on key projects were held during Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong's meeting with Pakistani Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, according to Pakistan's Press Information Department (PID).
China is also helping Pakistan upgrade and dualize an existing Main Line- 1 (ML-1) railway track, built in the late 19th century. The $6.8 billion, 1,872-kilometer-long ML-1 line connects the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi to Peshawar in the country's northwest.

Topics: Pakistan Railways Pakistan China Ties

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