*ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan on Wednesday gave thedeadline to former president General (retd) Prevez Musharraf to return toPakistan and appear before the court by tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon.*
A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar,was hearing the appeal of the former military ruler against his 2013disqualification verdict by the Peshawar High Court.
The bench warned that if the former president does not show up in court by2:00 pm tomorrow, then a decision would be taken in his absence accordanceto the law.
The court further cautioned that the verification of his nomination papersfor upcoming polls will also be halted as a repercussion of failing toappear before the court tomorrow.
Chief Justice remarked that if Musharraf is a commando then he must returninstead of merely parroting like politicians that he is coming back. “SC isnot bound to release a written guarantee to him according to the conditionsset forth by him; we have already given assurance that he will not bearrested upon his return then what is he afraid of?” CJP crossly said.
The top judge clarified that the government was behind the move of allowingMusharraf to go abroad. “It was government not the judiciary who removedformer military general’s name from the exit control list (ECL),” hereiterated.
The apex court observed that Musharraf should come back and face thecharges against him after that the court will review whether to put hisname on the ECL.
The counsel of Pervez Musharraf informed the court that his client is readyto face treason case but he should be provided a guarantee of protection.
He has Parkinson’s disease, so a medical board will need to be set up,Musharraf’s lawyer said, to which the chief justice stated that the courtwould form a medical board if Musharraf returns in an air ambulance.