Musharraf may face treason charges: Judge

Lahore, Apr 21: A former Pakistani top judge has said President Pervez Musharraf can face ''high treason'' charges for his involvement in politics and demanding votes for a political party despite under oath to remain impartial.

''The president has taken an oath, promising that he will not favour any political party. But he has been asking for votes for the ruling Pakistan Muslim League,'' Daily Times quoted Justice (retd) Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqi as saying.

About the ongoing judicial crisis in the country, he said he could not comment on the issue as it was subjudice.

Gen Musharraf has been mired in a controversy since March 9 when he suspended country's Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry for misuse of power and sent a reference against him to the panel of top judges, known as the Supreme Judicial Council.

The move has triggered angry protests by the legal fraternity and civil society.

Justice Chaudhry, who denies the charges, has approached the Supreme Court, which will hear his petition on April 24.

Justice Siddiqui stressed the need for holding fair and transparent elections. ''All elections, except those held in 1970, remained objectionable,'' he said, adding that Pakistan should have an election commission and the caretaker government, which should enjoy public mandate.

UNI

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