Ex-servicemen demand trial for Musharraf

A group of prominent retired Pakistani military officials has demanded a trial for former president Pervez Musharraf for allegedly subverting the constitution.

The Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Association also called for Musharraf to be ousted from the Army House, the official residence of the army chief which he has continued to occupy despite retiring from the post in November 2007.

At a meeting held in Rawalpindi on Saturday, the Association decided to form a special committee to formulate proposals for the trial of Musharraf for violating the constitution and "other crimes".

The Association expressed surprise at the continued occupation of Army House by Musharraf and the protocol and protection provided to him by the army.

The meeting, chaired by Admiral (retd) Fasih Bukhari, was attended by top retired officials of the army, navy and air force. Lahore High Court Bar Association president Malik Shahzad Gehba, former ambassador Akram Zaki and some other representatives of the lawyers' community were also present.

The retired military officials praised the legal community for successfully leading a two-year struggle for reinstating judges deposed by Musharraf during the 2007 emergency.