ISLAMABAD: Former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Aitzaz Ahsan Thursday demanded an open trial in the treason case against former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to media representatives in the country’s federal capital, Ahsan said that the prosecution has evidence and witnesses against Musharraf in the treason case.

The PPP leader said the formation of a special court was a transparent step that the government had taken, adding that testimonies of judges were not needed over the charge of suspending the constitution.

Judges would have to give their testimonies if the charge of placing them under house arrest is also brought forth by the government, he said.

Responding to a question, Ahsan said Musharraf’s treason trial was Pakistan’s internal issue and that Saudi Arabia and America could not interfere in the matter.

The senator said the trial would not begin too soon, adding that Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry may have retired from his position by the time the proceedings begin.

Ahsan said Musharraf may challenge the constitution of the bench on technical grounds and added that the proceedings against the former army strongman should be open.

The PPP leader also said the army had no business in issuing a reaction to the treason trial of Musharraf.

Aitzaz Ahsan is one of the former leaders of the lawyers’ movement. He also pleaded the petition that ultimately led to the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar to his office. He also stood by the country’s top judge following Musharraf’s proclamation of a state of emergency in the country on Nov 3, 2007.