Screenshot showing PM Nawaz speaking during the National Assembly session.

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to initiate a high treason case against former military dictator Pervez Musharraf for subverting the constitution of Pakistan twice, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced in the National Assembly on Monday.



In Pakistan, the maximum penalty for treason is death.



The government "firmly subscribes to the view that the holding in abeyance of the constitution on 3rd November 2007, constituted an act of high treason," Sharif said in parliament, reading from a statement simultaneously presented to the Supreme Court.



"Musharraf will have to answer for his guilt before the court," he said.



"Notwithstanding the fact that the Prime Minister has borne the brunt of Musharraf's brazen coup, he wishes to assure both this august court and the people of Pakistan that he will act according to the highest standards of justice and follow the due process of law," Sharif said.



Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid later said that the decision to pursue high treason case against Musharraf is aimed at establishing rule of law.



Opposition leaders from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) extended their support to the prime minister.



On June 6, Musharraf’s lawyer had requested the Supreme Court to find out what the newly-elected federal government’s views are on treason proceedings against his client.



“I would urge the court to ask the attorney general of Pakistan to get fresh instructions from the new government [in this regard] as the interim government had earlier declared that initiating the treason trial against Musharraf was beyond its mandate,” advocate Ahmed Raza Kasuri had requested the three-judge bench.



PTI backs Nawaz



Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday backed Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif's announcement to start legal proceedings against former dictator Pervez Musharraf on charges of high treason.



"It is the prerogative of the federal government to take action against the dictator (General Musharraf). The PTI will fully support all steps taken by the government in this regard in line with the Constitution," said a statement issued here by PTI Media Cell.



The PTI statement said that Constitution was a sacred document and no individual or institution could be allowed to abrogate it.



"Whether it is Pervez Musharraf or a normal Pakistani citizen, any action must be taken under the law."



The PTI also sought against all abettors and facilitators of General Musharraf, adding that a long-term strategy should be evolved to avoid any future adventurism.



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