Court Orders Ex-Ruler Of Pakistan 'Gen Pervez Musharraf' Arrest

A court has ordered the arrest of Gen Pervez Musharraf over his attempt when Pakistan's military ruler to impose house arrest on judges in March 2007.

Mr Musharraf was present at the Islamabad High Court when the judges issued the order. He had been seeking to extend bail in the case.

Police present made no attempt to arrest him as he left the court.

A statement from his office described the court order as "ill-conceived and unwarranted judicial activism". It said that the order was "seemingly motivated by personal vendettas" since Mr Musharraf's return to Pakistan to participate in general elections in May.

An appeal is being made to the Supreme Court, the statement said.

The former general immediately left the court after the arrest order and drove away escorted by his security detail.

The case relates to Mr Musharraf's controversial decision to dismiss judges - including Chief Justice Mohammad Iftikhar Chaudhry - when he imposed emergency rule in 2007. He also faces several other criminal cases including treason charges.

There has been no sign of an attempt by the authorities to arrest Mr Musharraf at the house near Islamabad where he is now staying. Normally police handcuff individuals within court premises immediately after an arrest order has been issued but no effort was made to restrain him.

Source: BBC