The Lahore High Court on Monday annulled the death sentence of former Pakistan President and former Military ruler Mr Pervez Musharraf by ruling that the special court which had found him guilty of treason last year, was unconstitutional.
It was for the first time that a former leader of the armed forces had faced such a sentence for treason in Pakistan, where the military maintains strong influence and senior military officers are often considered immune from prosecution.
It caused a wave of controversy, and termed as political vendetta against Mr. Musharraf who is living in Dubai in exile. The military was upset over this judgment.
The High Court ruled it “illegal” on Monday. “The filing of the complaint, the constitution of the court, the selection of the prosecution team are illegal, declared to be illegal.” Thus the full judgment has been set aside, the prosecutor Ishtiaq A. Khan informed.
He further said, “Yes, he is a free man. Right now there is no judgment against him any longer.”