Musharraf ‘Should Face Trial For Treason’

Musharraf, is under house arrest in connection with the assassination a Baluchi leader in 2006. He returned to Pakistan from exile in early this year.

New Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says Pakistan ex-rulers’s “actions came under the purview of high treason”.

Nawaz Sharif was overthrown in 1999 by Musharraf during his earlier stint as the prime minister [AP]

Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan’s new prime minister, has said that the former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who is currently under house arrest, should face trial for treason.

“Musharraf’s actions came under the purview of high treason,” he told parliament. “He should face trial and answer his guilt before the court,” Sharif said on Monday.

A treason trial in Pakistan can be initiated only by the state.

In April, the interim government refused to try Musharraf for treason, saying it was beyond its mandate and up to the new government, elected in May.

“Musharraf will have to answer for his guilt before the court. We will follow the process of law and all political forces will be taken into confidence,” said Sharif.

“Musharraf violated the constitution twice. He overthrew an elected government in 1999 and put everything into jeopardy. He sacked judges and imprisoned them,” he added.

Sharif was overthrown by Musharraf during his earlier stint as the prime minister in 1999.

Musharraf, who ruled from 1999 to 2008, is under house arrest in connection with the assassination of an ethnic Baluchi leader in 2006. He returned to Pakistan from exile in early this year.