Pervez Musharraf

The Pakistan government has found fault with a special court's death sentence for former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, apparently taking sides in a split between the military and the judiciary, and the general's lawyers said he plans to appeal.

"Pervez Musharraf was found guilty under Article 6 of violating the constitution of Pakistan", court officials said. Musharraf was tried for treason because he was alleged to have imposed a state of emergency in 2007, repealing the constitution with a view to remaining in power.
The measure prompted protests, and Musharraf resigned in 2008 to avoid dismissal.

Former Pakistan Army Chief and ex-president General (retired) Pervez Musharraf has been given the death penalty in a treason case by a special court in Pakistan.

This is the first time in the history of Pakistan that a former army chief has been handed the death sentence. The special court order is subject to appeal.

Pakistan plans to execute around 500 militants in coming weeks, officials said Dec. 22, after the government lifted a moratorium on the death penalty in terror cases following a Taliban school massacre.

Six militants have been hanged since Friday amid rising public anger over Tuesday's slaughter in the northwestern city of Peshawar, which left 149 people dead including 133 children.

Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf has survived an assassination attempt after his convoy escaped a blast in the city of Islamabad, Thursday.

The politician who was returning from a hospital, where he had been treated for heart problems since January, was not hurt in the attack, Itar-Tass reports.