Musharraf Faces Treason Charges

Coming back from exile might not seem like such a good idea after all. Pakistani prosecutors said Monday that they are initiating charges of treason against former president Pervez Musharraf, who has already been charged in four separate cases since his return from exile earlier this year. But the treason charge will up the stakes for Musharraf, since Pakistan has never criminally prosecuted any former leader—much less on charges so serious. “It is really absurd,” said Talat Masood, a retired general and political commentator. If convicted, Musharraf could be sentenced to the death penalty. The potential new charges come as increasing turmoil in the country and dissatisfaction with current Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Nine people were killed and 50 more injured Friday in sectarian riots in Rawalphindi, the city next to the capital, Islamabad.