ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army has received with “pain and anguish” a court decision that convicted former President Gen. Pervez Musharraf of high treason and sentenced him to death.
The former military ruler received the death sentence in absentia on Tuesday, following a six-year legal case.
The decision has been received with a “lot of pain and anguish by rank and file of Pakistan Armed Forces,” the Pakistan Army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, said in a statement.
“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 ISPR said in reference to Musharraf.
The military also criticized the legal process behind the ruling by saying the case was concluded “in haste” and was marred by “denial of the fundamental right of self-defense.”
Musharraf’s lawyer Salman Safdar also 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. He referred to the sentence as “unconstitutional and illegal” and called the case “politically motivated.”
“The sentence will be overturned in appeal,” he said, adding that he had yet to consult Musharraf regarding the appeal process.
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.
