VIDEO: Musharraf terms death penalty verdict as ‘personal vendetta’

Former military ruler General (r) Pervez Musharraf has said that the special court’s death sentence verdict against him was based on “personal vendetta”.

Musharraf in a recent video message released on Wednesday said, “I heard the special court’s verdict against me on television,” adding that “There is no example of such a verdict in the past where neither the defendant nor his lawyers were given permission to speak in his defence.”

Former dictator said that he had earlier offered to give his statement to a special commission if they visit him in Dubai, where Musharraf is currently undergoing medical treatment adding that “his request was ignored”.

Musharraf said that he respected the Pakistani judiciary and that, similar to Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, he also believed that everyone was equal before the law.

“I call this verdict suspicious because supremacy of the law was ignored from the start to the end during the hearings of this case,” he added.

Musharraf said, “However, in my opinion, CJ Khosa showed his intentions and his determination to the public himself by saying that he ensured a speedy verdict in this case. How can the judges who gained personal benefits during my tenure issue a judgement against me?”

He thanked the Pakistani citizens and the country’s Armed Forces for remembering his services for the country.

“This is the biggest honour for me, which I will take to my grave,” he said, adding that he will announce his plan of action regarding the case after consulting his legal team.