Retired Gen Pervez Musharraf on Friday posted a video message to the Twitter account of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), hailing the Supreme Court's disqualification of Nawaz Sharif as a "historic decision".
"Today is a historic and important day for Pakistanis," he said in a recorded video, in which he also briefly summarised the decision of the apex court bench.
@P_Musharraf Exclusive Message on #PanamaVerdict !! pic.twitter.com/FioYgeLMVh
— APML (Official) (@APMLOfficial_) July 28, 2017
"I want to heartily congratulate the Supreme Court bench especially because it is a brave decision which is in accordance with the principles of justice and fairness."
He added that he wants to also congratulate the entire Supreme Court in general.
"Especially all members of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) who bravely presented such a good investigation report to the SC bench despite all threats."
Musharraf also said: "I fully support this decision of disqualifying the decision to disqualify Nawaz Sharif as it is a very good one."
He welcomed the court's order to open corruption references against other members of the Sharif family.
"Their trial should begin and they should be tried and punished according to the law," he said in the video, which appears to have been recorded in Dubai. "I want to add that since they are under trial they should be on the Exit Control List (ECL) and not allowed to travel abroad."
"The decision also makes me think of what happened with me. In 2008, when I resigned the PPP and Asif Ali Zardari came to power. Then in 2013, Nawaz Sharif came into power... I was disappointed and used to ask God why lies are winning and honesty is losing. But today there is victory."
Despite pending court cases against him, the former dictator left Pakistan in March 2016 saying he would return "in a few weeks" after medical treatment. During the last hearing of the case, Musharraf's lawyer, Akhtar Shah, had told the court that the government needs to ensure adequate security for Musharraf before the former president can return to the country.
The prosecution argued that because Musharraf had been declared an "absconder", he should be "legally barred from making any applications or submissions" to the court.
Musharraf is facing a treason trial for clamping emergency in the country on Nov 3, 2007, and was barred from travelling abroad after his name was placed on the ECL on Apr 5, 2013.
He left the country after the Supreme Court upheld the Sindh High Court directions to remove his name from the ECL.
The former president said his confidence in the Supreme Court had "definitely increased" but problems persist in lower courts. "I am definitely ready to return, and will make a decision [about returning] after seeing the state of affairs."
Twitter users expressed anger on the microblogging site on Friday, as former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf posted a video message hailing the Supreme Court's decision.
Former dictator Pervez Musharraf is a big challenge for the judiciary of Pakistan he is an absconder he is wanted here in many cases
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) July 28, 2017
The audacity of Musharraf to appear on ARY to talk about today's democratic Pakistan is shameful !
— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) July 28, 2017
And naked hypocrisy. In what world did Musharraf declare his assets, his source of funds, or become 'sadiq' and 'ameen' after serial coups?
— Omar Waraich (@OmarWaraich) July 28, 2017
It is about time General Pervez Musharraf stopped appearing on talk shows, revoked his absconder status, quit moralizing & appeared in court
— Mehr Tarar (@MehrTarar) July 28, 2017
*Who* can be held accountable? Imp. A criminal dictator evading courts for years but not a single civilian PM completing his term says a lot
— Mehlab (@mehlabjameel) July 28, 2017
If Nawaz Sharif can be disqualified, then make an example of Musharraf too. Selective justice won't be make Pakistan clean. #PanamaVerdict
— Muhammad Hassan Jan (@hassanjan01) July 28, 2017
High treason case against Musharraf is pending for years now. Will the Supreme Court direct the Special Court to accelerate its proceedings?
— Abdullah Nizamani (@lawyerwrites) July 28, 2017
$10 billion question. Would the Supreme Court move against Gen Aslam Baig & Musharraf for rigging elections & subversion of Constitution
— Yousuf Nazar (@YousufNazar) July 28, 2017