Musharraf avoids treason case

Pakistan's top court on Thursday turned down a request tostart a treason case againstformerpresidentPervez Musharraf, who failed to show up for a second day of court hearings to explain his 2007 imposition of emergency rule.

The court sessions have jolted the Pakistani political establishment at a time of relative calm and just as the U.S. wants it to focus on eradicating militancy that threatensits war effort in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Petitioner Hamid Khan, a lawyer, wanted the Supreme Court to order the registration of the treason case. Possible punishments for high treason in Pakistan include death.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry rejected the petition, saying the parliament was the proper venue to debate the merits of Musharraf's actions, which also included firing dozens of judges, including Chaudhry.

Last week, the high court issued a summons askingMusharraf or his lawyer to appear this week to explain his 2007 actions.

Neither Musharraf nor a representative showed up Wednesday or Thursday. Musharraf lives in London, and he has said his actions were in the interest of Pakistan.

Musharraf seized power in 1999 in a bloodless military coup. He made Pakistan a key U.S. ally following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that sparked the American-led invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan.

In early 2007, Musharraf fired Chaudhry, which triggered street protests led by lawyers, damaging Musharraf's popularity.

Musharraf's party lost elections in 2008 that further eroded his grip on power.

Subsequently, the coalition government that came to power forced Musharraf to quit by threatening to impeach him. Musharraf stepped down in August and since then, has toured different countries to deliver lectures at think tanks and universities.

Under domestic pressure, the new Pakistani government reinstated Chaudhry and other judges fired by the former president.