Islamabad, April 1- A special court in Pakistan on Monday charged former military President Pervez Musharraf with treason for abrogating the country’s constitution when he imposed emergency rule in 2007, Iran’s IRNA reported court officials as saying.
Musharraf rejected the charges and pleaded not guilty. He told the court he had served Pakistan for over 40 years and also fought two wars.
The court had issued an arrest order against the former president if he refused to appear in court on Monday.
The charge-sheet says that Musharraf, as the army chief, had illegally and unconstitutionally ordered imposition of emergency in November 2007.
The former military ruler heard all the charges and pleaded not guilty.
Musharraf told the court that he respected the courts and he appeared nearly 17 times in courts in various cases. He outlined his government’s performance and said he had done a lot for Pakistan.
Musharraf arrived in court here amid heavy security from a military hospital in the city of Rawalpindi where he was admitted in January. A police team was ready to arrest Musharraf in case he refused to appear.
Musharraf, who had taken over in a bloodless coup in 1999 and ruled the country until 2008, also faces some other criminal charges including the murder of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in December 2007.
Legal experts say the court can now formally begin the case after Musharraf has been charged with treason.
– Bernama
