ISLAMABAD, December 17: Attorney General of Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan said the high treason case against former President retired Gen Pervez Musharraf was “void from the beginning” and questioned “what the rush was” in pronouncing the judgment – the death penalty – which was given in absentia. AG Khan’s remarks came during a press conference held in Islamabad late Tuesday night alongside the government’s chief spokesperson Firdous Ashiq Awan.
A special court had earlier in the day sentenced the former military ruler to death. “A trial in absentia is not a routine matter,” he said. “[Musharraf] was not given a chance to record his statement under Section 342 (of the Constitution), to present his testimony and witnesses.
“Every person is guaranteed a fair trial under Article 10-A of the Constitution,” said the attorney general. – Agencies
