Editing Pervez Musharraf (section)

== Judicial hearings and return to exile ==
{{main|Musharraf high treason case}}
On 25 June 2013, Musharraf was named as prime suspect in two separate cases. The first case was subverting and suspending the constitution, and the second was a [[Federal Investigation Agency]] probe into the conspiracy to assassinate Bhutto.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.nation.com.pk/26-Jun-2013/musharraf-conspired-to-kill-benazir |title= Musharraf 'conspired' to kill Benazir |last1=Ahmed |first1=Israr |date= 26 June 2013 |work=The Nation |access-date= 3 August 2013 |url-status= live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130627031401/http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/national/26-Jun-2013/musharraf-conspired-to-kill-benazir |archive-date=27 June 2013|last2= Sigamony |first2=Terence J.}}</ref> Musharraf was indicted on 20 August 2013 for Bhutto's assassination in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title = Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf charged in Benazir Bhutto's death |publisher = Fox News |date=20 August 2013 |url = https://www.foxnews.com/world/pakistans-pervez-musharraf-charged-in-death-of-former-leader-bhutto |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140402185504/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/08/20/pakistan-pervez-musharraf-charged-in-benazir-bhutto-death/ |archive-date=2 April 2014|url-status= live}}</ref> On 2 September 2013, a [[first information report]] (FIR) was registered against him for his role in the [[Lal Masjid Operation]] in 2007. The FIR was lodged after the son of slain hard line cleric [[Abdul Rashid Ghazi|Abdul Rahid Ghazi]] (who was killed during the operation) asked authorities to bring charges against Musharraf.<ref>{{cite news |title= Pakistani police investigate Musharraf in mosque raid |date=2 September 2013 |newspaper=The Boston Globe |url = https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2013/09/02/pakistani-police-investigate-musharraf-mosque-raid/mclTe25pC43rwpR4SIKj7O/story.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141217183804/http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2013/09/02/pakistani-police-investigate-musharraf-mosque-raid/mclTe25pC43rwpR4SIKj7O/story.html |archive-date= 17 December 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ghazi murder case: Musharraf submits surety for bail |date= 6 November 2013 |newspaper=The Nation |location=Karachi |url = http://www.nation.com.pk/islamabad/06-Nov-2013/ghazi-murder-case-musharraf-submits-surety-for-bail |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131220105628/http://www.nation.com.pk/islamabad/06-Nov-2013/ghazi-murder-case-musharraf-submits-surety-for-bail |archive-date= 20 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 18 March 2016, Musharraf's name was removed from the [[Exit Control List]] and he was allowed to travel abroad, citing medical treatment. He subsequently lived in [[Dubai]] in self-imposed exile.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1246671|title=Musharraf meets well-wishers at his Dubai residence|work=Dawn|first=Imran|last=Ayub|date=19 March 2016|access-date=28 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301011057/https://www.dawn.com/news/1246671|archive-date=1 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1068002/pervez-musharraf-departs-for-dubai/ |title=Musharraf departs for Dubai after travel ban lifted |date=18 March 2016 |access-date=28 February 2017 |work=The Express Tribune |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301092832/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1068002/pervez-musharraf-departs-for-dubai/ |archive-date=1 March 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Musharraf vowed to return to Pakistan, but he never did.<ref name=NYTAnnul>Salman Masood, [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/13/world/asia/pervez-musharraf-pakistan-death-sentence.html Death Sentence Overturned for Pervez Musharraf, Ex-Leader of Pakistan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113192552/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/13/world/asia/pervez-musharraf-pakistan-death-sentence.html |date=13 January 2020 }}, ''New York Times'' (13 January 2020).</ref> It was first disclosed in October 2018 that Musharraf was suffering from [[amyloidosis]], a [[Rare disease|rare]] and serious illness for which he has undergone treatment in hospitals in London and Dubai; an official with Musharraf's political party said that Musharraf would return to Pakistan after he made a full recovery.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1470223 |title=Musharraf shifted to Dubai hospital after 'reaction' from rare disease |last=Hussain |first=Javed |date=17 March 2019 |work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |language=en |access-date=17 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190317210514/https://www.dawn.com/news/1470223 |archive-date=17 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, Musharraf appeared as a political analyst on his weekly television show ''Sab Se Pehle Pakistan with President Musharraf'', hosted by [[BOL News]].<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.dawn.com/news/1317329|title= Pervez Musharraf launches career as TV analyst|work= Dawn|date= 27 February 2017|access-date= 20 March 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170320175056/https://www.dawn.com/news/1317329|archive-date= 20 March 2017|url-status= live}}</ref>

On 31 August 2017, the [[Anti Terrorism Court of Pakistan|anti-terrorism court]] in [[Rawalpindi]] declared him an "[[Fugitive|absconder]]" in Bhutto's murder case. The court also ordered that his property and bank account in Pakistan be seized.<ref name="absconder" /><ref>{{in lang|vi}} [https://www.nguoi-viet.com/the-gioi/toa-pakistan-truy-lung-cuu-thu-tuong-trong-vu-sat-doi-thu-chinh-tri/ Pakistan truy lùng cựu thủ tướng ám sát đối thủ chính trị] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907080522/https://www.nguoi-viet.com/the-gioi/toa-pakistan-truy-lung-cuu-thu-tuong-trong-vu-sat-doi-thu-chinh-tri/ |date=7 September 2017 }}. Retrieved 7 September 2017</ref><ref>[https://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/31/asia/pakistan-benazir-bhutto/index.html Former Pakistan leader Musharraf declared fugitive in Bhutto murder case] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902051457/http://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/31/asia/pakistan-benazir-bhutto/index.html |date=2 September 2017 }}, CNN</ref>

===Verdict===
On 17 December 2019, a special court declared him a traitor and sentenced him ''[[Trial in absentia|in absentia]]'' to death for abrogating and suspending the constitution in [[Pakistani state of emergency, 2007|November 2007]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/17/pakistan-sentences-musharraf-to-death-for-high-treason |title= Pervez Musharraf: Pakistan sentences former ruler to death for high treason |last= Ellis-Petersen |first= Hannah |date= 17 December 2019 |newspaper= The Guardian |access-date= 17 December 2019 |language= en-GB |issn= 0261-3077 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191217083837/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/17/pakistan-sentences-musharraf-to-death-for-high-treason |archive-date= 17 December 2019 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/17/asia/pervez-musharraf-death-sentence-pakistan-intl-hnk/index.html |title=Former Pakistan military ruler sentenced to death for high treason |publisher=CNN |date=17 December 2019 |language=en-US |access-date=17 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217110805/https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/17/asia/pervez-musharraf-death-sentence-pakistan-intl-hnk/index.html |archive-date=17 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-law-musharraf-idUSKBN1YL0MJ |title= Pakistan court sentences former military ruler Musharraf to death for treason |last1= Shahzad |first1= Asif |date= 17 December 2019 |work= Reuters |access-date= 17 December 2019 |url-status= live |last2= Jain |first2= Rupam |editor-last= Birsel |editor-first= Robert |language= en-GB |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191217081602/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-law-musharraf-idUSKBN1YL0MJ |archive-date= 17 December 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50819772 |title=Pakistan ex-leader Musharraf sentenced to death |date=17 December 2019 |access-date=17 December 2019 |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217081204/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50819772 |archive-date=17 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/pakistan-ruler-musharraf-handed-death-penalty-treason-case-191217071817884.html |title=Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf handed death penalty in treason case |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=17 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217081559/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/pakistan-ruler-musharraf-handed-death-penalty-treason-case-191217071817884.html |archive-date=17 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The three-member panel of the special court which issued the order was spearheaded by Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court [[Waqar Ahmed Seth]].<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/pervez-musharraf-death-penalty-pakistan-treason-news-1628954-2019-12-17 |title = Pervez Musharraf gets death penalty for imposing emergency in Pakistan |website = India Today |date = 17 December 2019 |access-date = 17 December 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191217095819/https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/pervez-musharraf-death-penalty-pakistan-treason-news-1628954-2019-12-17 |archive-date = 17 December 2019 |url-status = live }}</ref> He was the first Pakistani Army General to be sentenced to death.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/conviction-pakistan-pervez-musharraf-191217151354480.html |title = After conviction, what next for Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf? |publisher = Al Jazeera |access-date = 17 December 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191217170330/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/conviction-pakistan-pervez-musharraf-191217151354480.html |archive-date = 17 December 2019 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/podcast/the-implications-of-pervez-musharrafs-death-sentence-for-civil-military-relations-in-pakistan-the-hindu-analysis-podcast/article30331387.ece |title=The implications of Pervez Musharraf's death sentence for civil-military relations in Pakistan|last=Sriram |first=Jayant |date=17 December 2019 |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=17 December 2019 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217170523/https://www.thehindu.com/podcast/the-implications-of-pervez-musharrafs-death-sentence-for-civil-military-relations-in-pakistan-the-hindu-analysis-podcast/article30331387.ece |archive-date=17 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Analysts did not expect Musharraf to face the sentence given his illness and the fact that Dubai has no [[extradition treaty]] with Pakistan;<ref name="MW1">{{cite news |title=Pakistan sentences Musharraf to death for treason |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/pakistan-sentences-musharraf-to-death-for-treason-2019-12-17 |access-date=17 December 2019 |work=MarketWatch |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217102318/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/pakistan-sentences-musharraf-to-death-for-treason-2019-12-17 |archive-date=17 December 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="hussain">{{cite news |last1=Hussain |first1=Shaiq |title=Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf is sentenced to death for treason |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pakistans-former-military-ruler-pervez-musharraf-is-sentenced-to-death-for-treason/2019/12/17/a7bb9334-20a5-11ea-b034-de7dc2b5199b_story.html |access-date=17 December 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=17 December 2019 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217160215/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pakistans-former-military-ruler-pervez-musharraf-is-sentenced-to-death-for-treason/2019/12/17/a7bb9334-20a5-11ea-b034-de7dc2b5199b_story.html |archive-date=17 December 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> the verdict was also viewed as largely symbolic given that Musharraf retained support within the current Pakistani government and military.<ref name=NYTAnnul/>

Musharraf challenged the verdict,<ref name=NYTAnnul/><ref name="Dawn LHC Jan 2020" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/262503-musharraf-representiave |title= Musharraf lawyer in UK calls for retrial in high treason case |date=18 December 2019 |publisher=[[Geo TV]] |access-date=18 December 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218105012/https://www.geo.tv/latest/262503-musharraf-representiave |archive-date=18 December 2019}}</ref> and on 13 January 2020, the Lahore High Court annulled the death sentence against Musharraf, ruling that the special court that held the trial was unconstitutional.<ref name=NYTAnnul/> The unanimous verdict was delivered by a three-member bench of the Lahore High Court,<ref name=NYTAnnul/><ref name="Dawn LHC Jan 2020">{{cite news |last1=Bilal |first1=Rana |title=Special court formed for Musharraf treason trial 'unconstitutional', rules LHC |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1528058/special-court-formed-for-musharraf-treason-trial-unconstitutional-rules-lhc |access-date=13 January 2020 |work=Dawn|location=Pakistan |date=13 January 2020 |language=en |archive-date=13 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113111542/https://www.dawn.com/news/1528058/special-court-formed-for-musharraf-treason-trial-unconstitutional-rules-lhc |url-status=live }}</ref> consisting of Justice [[Sayyed Muhammad Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi]], Justice [[Muhammad Ameer Bhatti]], and Justice Chaudhry Masood Jahangir.<ref name="Dawn LHC Jan 2020"/> The court ruled that the prosecution of Musharraf was politically motivated and that the crimes of [[high treason]] and subverting the Constitution were "a joint offence" that "cannot be undertaken by a single person".<ref name=NYTAnnul/>