2007 chaos: Pak SC summons Musharraf

Notice was issued to 66-year-old Musharraf, who is on a visit to Britain, by a 14-member bench headed by reinstated Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who had raised a banner of protest after he was dismissed along with many other judges by Musharraf.

Musharraf’s hand-picked judges thereafter validated the emergency and the sacking of judges while clearing the way for his second term in office.

Fixing the next date of hearing on July 29, the bench asked Musharraf to appear in person or through his counsel.

Musharraf had stepped down as president on August 18, 2008 under impeachment pressure from the coalition government led by Asif Ali Zardari who succeeded him as president on September 6, 2008.

The former army chief flew out of Pakistan three months ago, saying he intended to travel to several countries to deliver lectures and address leading think tanks. He has visited Saudi Arabia, the US and some European countries.

Adjourned to July 29
The issue of emergency and sacking of judges came up while the apex court was hearing a constitutional petition seeking the regularisation of services of two judges of the Sindh High Court. The case was later adjourned by the court till July 29.

Chaudhry was appointed by Musharraf in 2005 and removed in 2007 when he refused to oblige the military ruler who wanted him to step down. Amid protests, a lawyers’ movement was launched.