ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's former chief Gen Pervez Musharraf was found guilty of treason charges and thus was handed death sentence on Tuesday. However, the verdict has been taken with "a lot of pain and anguish" by the Pakistan's army as they believe that he can never be a traitor.
Major General Asif Ghafoor, Pak army's spokesperson expressed his disappointment with the verdict of the special court in his multiple statements. He said,
"An ex-Army Chief, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee and President of Pakistan, who has served the country for over 40 years, fought wars for the defense of the country can surely never be a traitor.
The due legal process seems to have been ignored including constitution of special court, denial of fundamental right of self defence, undertaking individual specific proceedings and concluding the case in haste. Armed Forces of Pakistan expect that justice will be dispensed in line with Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan."
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The verdict came in the late morning hours of Tuesday. The special court assigned for this case was a three-member bench which was headed by the High Court Chief Justice of Peshawar, Waqar Ahmad Seth. The bench found the 76-year-old former Army chief guilty of suspending the Constitution and imposing emergency rule back in 2007. This deed was, however, a punishable offence and he was also put to trial in 2014. Thus, now he has been given the death sentence.
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Musharraf is now living in Dubai and is getting medical treatment currently. The ex-military chief left for Dubai three years ago and has not returned since 2016 citing medical and security reasons. One can say that he has been on self-exile. He also served the country as President for seven years (2001-2008).