QUETTA: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Quetta Tuesday rejected former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s request for exemption from attendance in a case pertaining to the murder of Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Khan Bugti, DawnNews reported.

During the hearing of the case in Quetta's ATC-1, former interior minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao was produced before the court.

Meanwhile, the court rejected Musharraf’s application seeking exemption from attending court proceedings and ordered him to appear at its upcoming hearing.

Former prime minister Shaukat Aziz, former governor Balochistan Owais Ahmed Ghani, former district coordination officer (DCO) Abdul Samad Lasi were declared fugitives and the court ordered the authorities to seize their properties.

The hearing was subsequently adjourned to Dec 24.

Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Khan Bugti was killed in a cave on Aug 26, 2006 during a military crackdown ordered by Musharraf who was president and army chief at the time.

Bugti had led an armed campaign to press for provincial autonomy and a greater share of profits from Balochistan’s natural resources. The death of the Baloch chieftain sparked angry protests in the country.