Pakistan ? Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled Friday that the state of emergency former President Pervez Musharraf imposed in 2007 was unconstitutional and declared invalid the appointments of judges he made during that period.

The decision could lay the groundwork for treason charges against the ex-army chief, and some fear it could cause political turmoil at a time when Pakistan is battling a Taliban insurgency. But the court said the ruling — the most severe against a former military leader — would strengthen democracy in a country plagued by repeated military dictatorships.

The 14-member bench that delivered the ruling was headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, whose attempted ouster by Musharraf spurred much of the political turmoil that ultimately led to the strongman’s downfall.

“The constitution is supreme, and this decision will strengthen democracy and democratic institutions,” Chaudhry said.