SC never allowed Musharraf to go abroad: CJ

Supreme Court here on Wednesday made it clear that it never allowed Musharraf to go abroad and said the decision in this regard was interpreted wrongly. "The SC did not grant permission to Musharraf to travel abroad," the CJP added. "This permission was granted by the government, which excluded his name from the ECL," the Chief Justice said, asking the former dictator to return Pakistan today (Thursday) afternoon.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar hearing Musharraf's appeal against his 2013 disqualification by the Peshawar High Court warned the former army chief that decision on his eligibility to contest elections will be taken in absentia if he does not show up in court by 2pm (today). SC had permitted Musharraf to file his nomination papers for the July 25 general elections on the condition that he should appear personally before the court on June 13.
The court had made clear that the fate of Musharraf's nomination papers would be subject to the final outcome of the instant case. Taking advantage of SC's order, Musharraf submitted nomination papers through his attorney for NA-01. However, the former military ruler did not appear in court here on Wednesday.
Earlier, Musharraf's counsel, Malik Qamar Afzal, told the court that his client was ready to return to Pakistan to face high treason case but he should be provided guarantee of protection. "He is suffering from Parkinson's disease, so a medical board will need to be set up," Musharraf's lawyer said, to which the chief justice said the court would form a medical board if Musharraf returns in an air ambulance.
He further said that federal government had set up an atmosphere of terror by blocking his CNIC and passport. The CJP remarked: "Musharraf was assured protection but we were not bound to give him written assurance. "Do you want from the Supreme Court that treason proceedings will not take place against him?"
"Musharraf should face the Constitution, the law, the nation and the courts," Chief Justice said, adding that "he didn't feel afraid when he was taking over this country". The Chief Justice said that the former military dictator should return and face all the cases against him. Chief Justice further remarked that we are giving him one more chance to come back. Chief Justice held that the scrutiny of Musharraf's nomination papers would not be allowed if he failed to appear before the court.
"The court will examine whether to give Musharraf permission to come and go, and whether or his name should be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL) or not," CJP asked.