Video: 'I am being victimised as I have not been heard,' says former Pakistan army chief General Musharraf

Dubai: Former Pakistan army chief and ex-president General (retired) Pervez Musharraf, who was given the death penalty by a special court on Tuesday, said that he was being victimised.

A close aide of Musharraf told Gulf News that the former Pakistani leader was given the sentence without being heard by the court.

Musharraf said that all the cases against him should be dropped as he was being victimised. “I have not been heard and I’m being victimised”, said Musharraf.

“As far as this [treason] case is concerned, this is absolutely baseless,” said a visibly ailing Musharraf in a video message.

“I have served my country for 10 years. I have fought for my country. This [treason] is the case in which I have not been heard and I have been victimised,” he said.

Military slams ruling

Pakistan's military siftly slammed the special court's ruling, saying in a statement that the armed forces were in "pain and anguish" over the decision.

"An ex-Army Chief, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee and President of Pakistan, who has served the country for over 40 years, fought wars for the defense of the country can surely never be a traitor," the military said in a statement, adding the legal process "seems to have been ignored".

In Dubai hospital

Musharraf was last rushed to a hospital in Dubai on December 2 following deterioration of his health. He was moved to his house in Downtown Dubai a few days ago, and is currently under the care of full time medical staff at his home as well.

A senior leader of Musharraf’s political party — All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), told Gulf News that Musharraf would issue a detailed statement after consultation with his lawyers.

Musharraf, 78, is suffering from amyloidosis, a rare disease caused by a build-up of an abnormal protein called amyloid in organs and tissues throughout the body. The treatment of amyloidosis is not possible in Pakistan and that is why he is staying in Dubai and is unable to attend the court hearing, added his party leader.

APML to challenge the verdict

In a statement to Gulf News, Mehrene Malik Adam, secretary general of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) said that the party has decided to file an appeal against the judgement.

"We are consulting our legal team and shall announce our future course of action," she said.

"We are appalled at todays’ verdict by the special court against the former president of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, which was announced without hearing him. Despite a repeated request by the former president not to announce the decision in his absence and to give him the right to defend himself before the special court. We think this is an unconstitutional trial, pursued in the most unconstitutional way, without hearing his lawyer and giving them a chance to defend him," she added.

Mehrene said that immediate comments from General Musharraf was not possible as she claimed he was in the hospital.

"This is to remind that during his stay in Pakistan, as a law-abiding citizen, the former president did appear before all the courts to face the charges against him. Though, we firmly believe that all the cases created against the former president have mala fide, and he is being made subject to political victimization.

"We would like to remind that this case was formed on flimsy grounds, where aiders and abettors were excluded from the case and its hearing and the former president was singled out in the high treason case, though the decision was taken after consultation with the cabinet members, Chief Ministers, Governors and Corps Commanders.

"We show our reservations and concern against the one-sided decision by the special court, especially when the former president is under treatment and fighting against the deadly disease."