Treason case: Evidences found only against Musharraf, says Sheikh

Published April 16, 2014
Former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf. — File photo
Former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf. — File photo

ISLAMABAD: The special court on Wednesday resumed hearing of the treason case against the former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf during which the prosecutor Akram Sheikh submitted his written reply regarding the facilitators of the Nov 2007 emergency decision, DawnNews reported.

During the hearing, Akram Sheikh said that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) found evidences only against the former president Musharraf related to the Nov 3 declaration of emergency, adding that the documents contained only his signature.

The chief petitioner further said that according to law the person signing a document is solely responsible for the act and in this matter the then prime minister was not notified in advance through any summary of the decision.

Akram Sheikh said there was no record of the cabinet’s approval found and if Musharraf was then advised by someone to impose the state of emergency then he should inform the court about it.

Justice Arab asked if an investigation was carried out in this regard, upon which Sheikh responded in affirmative and said that the joint secretary interior has brought the report with him and if required would be presented in the court.

The prosecutor further said that the copy of the investigation report was not with him but there were no evidences of a consultation found prior to the Nov 3 decision in the records.

Sheikh said that the accused could study the report during the defence stage of the trial which occurs after the completion of testimonies.

Sheikh said that without evidence implicating someone in a crime was unconstitutional and against the fundamental right for a fair trial of the accused.

Sheikh said that to provide evidences to substantiate the claim regarding the involvement of facilitators was the responsibility of the accused.

Subsequently, the court after hearing the arguments of the chief prosecutor adjourned the hearing of the treason case to April 24 and said that the decision regarding the appointment of the prosecutor would be announced on April 18.

In yesterday’s hearing of the treason case Musharraf’s lawyer Farogh Nasim had said that the court should also try under the treason charges all abettors in the former president's emergency proclamation of Nov 3, 2007.

Earlier, the court had also granted Musharraf exemption from appearing in the case's hearings, saying the accused could be ordered to appear whenever required.

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