Lal Masjid cleric's murder case registered against Musharraf

E-Paper | October 18, 2026

Lal Masjid cleric's murder case registered against Musharraf

Dawn.com Published September 2, 2013

ISLAMABAD: Police on Monday registered a case against former military ruler Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf over the alleged murder of cleric Ghazi Abdul Rasheed and his wife during the Lal Masjid military operation.

Justice Noorul Haq Qureshi of the Islamabad High Court heard the case pertaining to a contempt of court plea submitted in the court by Haroon Rasheed, the son of the deceased Lal Masjid cleric Abdul Rasheed Ghazi.

The petition had sought contempt proceedings against two police officials who had refused to register a criminal case against former president Gen (retired) Pervez Musharraf.

During the hearing Justice Qureshi remarked that failure to register a case despite the court's orders was tantamount to contempt of court.

The bench ordered the station house officer (SHO) of Aabpara police station to register a case against the former president on the spot at the court premesis and to provide the court with a copy of the lodged FIR.

Haroon Rasheed had earlier filed a petition against Musharraf for his involvement in the killing of his father and grandmother during the Lal Masjid operation.

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Ali Kamal

Sep 02, 2013 12:59pm

This is ridiculous. The cleric who was killed was a trouble maker and an outlaw. He held Islamabad hostage by attacking shops, kidnapping foreigners, challenging the writ of government and stock piling sizable amount of firearms in the mosque. He was killed in the army action when refused to surrendering after several attempts, and instead decided to fight against Pakistan Army. Now how Musharraf can be held by anyway responsible for his death. The court should throw out the case, as it is politically motivated; we all know this, don't we.

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Riaz Ahmed

Sep 02, 2013 01:07pm

Its is mockery of Judiciary that taking action against state within a state is tantamount to murder charge against the ruler.

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AnotherTruth

Sep 02, 2013 01:37pm

Musharraf should file a counter case against Haroon Rasheed for being a party to knowingly allowing a mosque (run by his father) to hold arms and as a training camp for violence. This whole 'registering cases' against Musharraf is a farce...

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Laeeq Ahmed

Sep 02, 2013 01:44pm

Justice must be done. He handled the LAL MASJID situation wrongly.

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Naved

Sep 02, 2013 01:59pm

Any case against Lal Masjid's mullahs for accumulating illegal arms in the mosque, trying to make state within the state by taking actions against people, battling with police and armed forces of Pakistan and killing 14 commondos of Pak army? Any punishment for them????

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Blister

Sep 02, 2013 02:00pm

its a shame that while he is getting pasted with cases left,right and centre the huge number of people who supported him wholeheartedly amongst both civilians and military will not be hauled to the court. They are all complicit and responsible. But as a nation we specialise in kicking while the oponnent is down and out but if he stands up we just might decide to go back to the worship module.

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Shaikh Mohommd

Sep 02, 2013 02:16pm

Some people refuse to acknowledge the realities on the ground. Today in Pakistan rule of law has been established. It will take some time for the Police to realize that law is now supreme in Pakistan - Thanks to Chief Justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry

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Aamir

Sep 02, 2013 02:18pm

Thousand of pakistanis killed by taliban and such groups and lal masjid cleric and all students there were also terrorist. All muslims are facing difficulties because of such mullas and awam.

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shahzad

Sep 02, 2013 02:34pm

Ridiculous, those who held the weapon and who were taken hostage inside the mosque are innocent. Those who challenges the writ of state are set free to go. I still remember the scence when rother of Khatib Addul Rasheed who came outside wearing burka to saving his life at the cost of hundred lives which were inside the mosque. I think it is a big question mark on Islamaad High Court how it pursue the case.

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Irfan Baloch

Sep 02, 2013 02:36pm

great work Pakistani courts appease the terrorists and lockup the military & police

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A Kashmiri

Sep 02, 2013 02:40pm

Only Pakistanis can treat a hero like this!

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zak

Sep 02, 2013 03:04pm

The man who took on the terrorists and extremists is now being prosecuted for saving the nation. I see a coup looming soon.Leave Gen Musharaf alone and deal with the countrys problems.

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Not a proud Pakistani

Sep 02, 2013 03:05pm

I can expect that from Pakistan since there's no such thing as justice in this country. I think we all saw the lal masjid dilemma live on tv and we know what happened. Ps: how man masjids do you know that owns rocket launchers has killed an army captain!..... And didn't his brother get caught in a burka? Lmao

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Sayeed Altaf Hussein

Sep 02, 2013 03:17pm

This is getting ridiculous. What about the people this cleric killed and the involvement of his son and other so called clerics. Stacking ammunition in the mosque and training terrorists. These extremists will go Scot free but Chief of Military Staff & President of Pakistan is being put on trial. Just is blind in Pakistan.

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Sep 02, 2013 03:22pm

What a shambollic mess of a nation we have become. I am not his supporter, but what he did was required at the time due to the terrorist threats and actions. Please read the media reports for what was happening in Islamabad before he had to take that action. In that operation, quite a few Officers, Jawans an Soldiers died. Get the records straight, we have all got to appear before Allah ultimately.

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amir

Sep 02, 2013 03:53pm

this is really a disappointing news, if everyone is bent on encouraging radicals , soon pakistan will move towards a stone age.

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Syeda Jafri

Sep 02, 2013 04:15pm

How biased & corrupt our judiciary is!

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muhammad

Sep 02, 2013 04:14pm

Registering case against the President is unconstitutional and further registering case of a murdered terrorists is even a bigger crime.

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Sultan khan

Sep 02, 2013 04:42pm

More than a dozen jawans and a Lt.Colonol were martyred at the hands of enemies of Islam and Pakistan the gangsters of Rashid and Aziz who challenged the writ of the government. Why the case has not been registered against these murderers. Is the life of the jawans and officers of the Pak army who are sacrificing their lives, making their wives widows and their children orphans for the defense of their motherland is not worth even flies and mosquitoes. All what is being done against General Musharraf is just to demoralise the Pakistan Armed forces and to boost the morale of the forces of the enemy country.

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well wisher

Sep 02, 2013 04:50pm

Why there is no case registered against the cleric who waged war on Pakistan. What is difference between Taliban and Judiciary. Did Musharraf acted for his own self or was it for Pakistan. This is disappointing whatever is happening in Pakistan.

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rashid

Sep 02, 2013 05:08pm

It is good!! Now court should order for FIR against Nawaz sharif for killings in 92 operation and FIR Against Zardari for sawat operation killings!!!! OR they should be ready for a coup!! MAY ALLAH FORGIVE US AND REMOVE OUR INNER HATTERED/BIASNESS. SPECIALLY THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE POWER!!

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shah

Sep 02, 2013 05:09pm

The judges are crossing their limits and continuously dragging their hate. They should fear the time when their acts will back fire.

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Zubair

Sep 02, 2013 05:41pm

Who will be responsible for the 9 dead and 150 injured civilians, when 150 Lal Masjid militants attacked the Ministry of Environment office building, setting it to fire, Ghazi Abdul Rasheed or his son Haroon Rasheed ?

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Nadeem Chaudhry

Sep 02, 2013 06:02pm

Chances of successful prosecution of cases against Musharraf: 1. Lal Masjid: 0% 2. BB: 0% 3. CJ arrest: 0% Never mess with the Pakistan Armed Forces. ( PERIOD)

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Hassan

Sep 02, 2013 06:07pm

And you dream of getting rid of the Taliban?

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G.Nabi

Sep 02, 2013 06:51pm

Musharraf's inflated ego is his worst enemy. After 8 years of dictatorial rule why he had to come back? Where are his 'loyal' backers? Even MQM that benefitted most during his rule has not raised a voice in his support.

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Andry jos

Sep 02, 2013 06:56pm

this is good information john

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Naveed

Sep 02, 2013 07:04pm

Wow! When will this nonsense stop? Move forward and stop cuddling the terrorists!

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combaticus

Sep 02, 2013 07:11pm

I am not a fan of Musharaf, in fact I feel very strongly against Army taking over the goverment through a coup. But the cases against him have gone too far. The only crime he has committed is breaking the constitution for which he should be punished.

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Goga Nalaik

Sep 02, 2013 07:43pm

Even if I don't approve certain things done by Musharraf, I would prefer to stand by him in this particular case. It is indeed a matter of shame that certain medias and biased justice are going to turn things upside down and prove that this molvi (who belonged to the terrorist outfit) was really innocent. No change will come in this country unless and untill we combat and eradicate this twisted mindset directed and financed by the Saudis!

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Concerned

Sep 02, 2013 07:48pm

How about registering a case against the clerics brother for the murder of the SSG commandos ?

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S. Israr Ali

Sep 02, 2013 07:58pm

One wonders the wisdom of prosecution! What signals or lessons we are are trying to give with our such actions? In future nobody in Pakistan will dare to handle any outlaw causing cious, playing havoc with law and order, attacking and challenging the writ of the government, waging war against the state by attacking state's forces, establishing his own state within the state and running his own government!

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samin ahmed

Sep 02, 2013 08:02pm

This is nonsense and pure harassment. The judiciary is out of control because of its activism. the solution is for the current president Mr. Zerdari to put down his foot and absolve Mr. Musharraf from all this foolishness. Otherwise, same thing might happen to him too, sooner than later. Of course, Mr. Newaz is out to get his revenge. Will Pakistan ever get out of killing its leaders? Examples are Liaqat ali khan, Bhutto, Zia, Benazir and looks like Musharraf!! Good luck Pakistan!

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Tahir Siddique

Sep 02, 2013 08:13pm

It was not his wife rather mother who was killed along with Abdul Rasheed Ghazi. His wife was alive and gave birth to his son the same day. Please correct your news.

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mirza

Sep 02, 2013 09:05pm

For some reason every one is trying to make sure no one stands for justice and peace in Pakistan. The only one man I knew did good to Pakistan is being harassed and pushed down completely. May Allah help him get through this .

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Sandeep

Sep 02, 2013 09:12pm

it only hurt Pakistan interest, i am afraid now one more Syria or Libya in the making. he is genius fellow! when be came back Pakistan (even after knowing he will be punished as dictator) definitely all thr background work done by now." it how it is when parvez wil act "

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JanShah

Sep 02, 2013 09:33pm

Abdul Rashid Ghazi was an enemy of the State who according to his supporters, died as a Shaheed. He shielded himself behind women and children and took up arms against the people of Islamabad. Does anyone at all remember that this city was under seige??? He died in battle which hardly constitutes murder. This is a worrying trend. Musharraf is being charged with the murder of anyone who died during his regime. Live by the sword, die by the sword. Take up arms and expect to get the same in return. These murder charges are getting to be a joke.

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Em Moosa

Sep 02, 2013 09:38pm

Pakistani kangaroo courts and their personal grudge eh.

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Khawar

Sep 02, 2013 09:38pm

Cheap justice and his cronies at it again. All are crooks.

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Sayyar

Sep 02, 2013 09:45pm

I do not like Musharaf. But this is a JOKE.

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Agha Ata

Sep 02, 2013 11:15pm

What goes round comes around.

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marghoobahmedsiddiqui

Sep 02, 2013 11:32pm

NAWAZ SHAREEF you are trying to take revenge from Parvez Musharraf. GOD will punish you for all things done by you with out reason. Don't worry GOD is great and you are nothing before him.

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aqeel shahzad

Sep 02, 2013 11:51pm

plz make correction in second last paragraph **premesis** ur spelling mistake plz check and make sure..

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Alive

Sep 03, 2013 12:21am

Abdul Rasheed Ghazi committed suicide along with 3 kids whom he had kept close as suicide bombers..... But Still Pakistan is great...Pinn it on Musharraf ... :)

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M. Siddique

Sep 03, 2013 01:11am

Musharaf may have committed his share of crimes while getting into power and during grabbed power but one thing he did in the interest of the country was that he got rid of the thugs of Lal Masjid. The people who became Mullah Qabza group and stored weapons in the masjid should have been removed long before he did. The Mullah Qabza group were involved in the illegal criminal activities in the name of Islam. People who support them closed their eyes to the supremacy of law.

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khan

Sep 03, 2013 04:40am

If this man was guilty,he would have lived outside and enjoyed his life.Like most of our politicians have done it,and doing it now.But he made a mistake in judgement,he did not realise that things are different in Pakistan.Particularly if you are not in power.

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Tanwir

Sep 03, 2013 09:11am

@Laeeq Ahmed: Absolutely correct. He should have taken action earlier rather than wait for few months. He should have put all those who occupied the Library behind bars within hours for occupying public property. He should have taken action against these militants for kidnapping the moment they kidnapped innocent citizens and took the law into their own hands. But now judiciary is legitimizing such actions of taking the law into their own hands.

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SRK Ahmad

Sep 03, 2013 01:09pm

CJ sahib please interfare. Some judges are trying their best to put black spots on already tainted face of judiciary.

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Yousaf

Sep 03, 2013 05:13pm

Amazing in a country where no cleric is ever charged for inciting hate....

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Sonal

Sep 03, 2013 10:16pm

Wow! There is such strong unity in these comments.

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Omer

Sep 04, 2013 04:21pm

No wonder the police run away when a jail is stormed, pretty soon the army will run away when a post is stormed. Bravo judiciary thanks for labeling murders as victims. I am going to the same court to file a lawsuit against Nawaz Sharif and Zardari for murdering people in the 92 and 96 karachi operation

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