LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday overturned the death penalty for former military ruler Pervez Musharraf and declared as “unconstitutional” the special court which sentenced him last month.
Musharraf’s lawyer, Azhar Siddique, told Arab News the court ruled that Section 9 of the Criminal Law Amendment (Special Court) Act under which Musharraf’s in absentia trial took place is unconstitutional.
The former president has been living in self-exile in Dubai and failed to attend the special court’s hearings, prompting the in absentia proceedings.
His conviction by the special court on Dec. 17 focused on the suspension of the Constitution and imposition of a state of emergency in 2007. Neither Pakistan’s parliament nor superior judiciary had validated the action, which under the law is punishable by death or life imprisonment.
High court advocate Malik Muhammad Siddique Awan told Arab News that the special court, which sentenced Musharraf, was established by the Supreme Court of Pakistan and only the Supreme Court “has jurisdiction with regard to any appeal including the formation of court.”
Since the special court is in Islamabad, according to Awan, the Lahore court was not competent to entertain Musharraf’s appeal. “If by any stretch of law any high court has jurisdiction, then it is Islamabad high court and not the LHC.”
“This decision by LHC has actually overruled the verdict against the former military ruler … Now there is no case against Musharraf and he is a free man, like any other citizen of Pakistan,” he said.
According to Ashtar Ausaf Ali, former Attorney General, the case is not over as “the court has only dealt with the procedural faults.”
“The court has acquitted General Pervez Musharraf on technical grounds but did not declare that crime was not committed. Under the law of the land, there is no time limit for criminal proceedings and this case may be re-initiated against him at any time,” he told Arab News.
Musharraf seized power in a bloodless coup in October 1999 and resigned in 2008 amid public protests.
Lahore court overturns Musharraf death sentence
https://arab.news/9bep9
Lahore court overturns Musharraf death sentence
- The former military ruler was sentenced to death on high treason charges by an Islamabad court in December 2019
- Despite Lahore court’s decision, Musharraf’s case is not over yet, says former Attorney General
Pakistan recall Shadab Khan for Sri Lanka T20I series as World Cup looms
- Shadab Khan, 27, last played for Pakistan in June before he underwent a shoulder surgery
- Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Muhammad Rizwan to miss series due to Big Bash League
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Sunday it has named former captain Shadab Khan in the 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series scheduled to take place against Sri Lanka next month, as the Green Shirts prepare for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Khan, 27, last represented Pakistan in June this year before he underwent a shoulder surgery. Khan is currently featuring in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia after going through a rehabilitation program at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
“All-rounder Shadab Khan has returned to the T20I side as the Men’s National Selection Committee named a 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to take place later next month,” the PCB said in a statement.
A host of key players such as Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan have not been included in the series as they are featuring in the BBL.
Uncapped Pakistani wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay has also been included in the Sri Lanka squad. The 23-year-old right-handed batter has recently been part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad. He has featured in 32 T20 matches and has scored at a strike rate of 132.81.
The Pakistan team will depart for Sri Lanka in the first week of January 2026, with all three T20Is scheduled to be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium (RDICS) in Dambulla on Jan. 7, 9 and 11.
“The series will provide Pakistan an opportunity to finalize their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March,” the PCB said.
“Pakistan are scheduled to play all their matches in Colombo, Sri Lanka.”
SQUAD:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq
