Treason case: Musharraf granted exemption from appearance

E-Paper | March 10, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The special court, hearing the treason trial against Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf, granted exemption to the former military ruler from attending today's hearing of the case while adjourning the hearing until tomorrow, DawnNews reported.

The court also instructed for medical reports of the former military strongman to be submitted before it by 11:30 am tomorrow.

Earlier during the day, a three-member bench, headed by Justice Faisal Arab, resumed the hearing of the 'high treason' case under Article 6 of the Constitution against Musharraf, who has been charged by the government of abrogating, subverting, suspending, holding in abeyance and attempting to conspire against the 1973 Constitution by declaring emergency and overthrowing the superior judiciary in Nov 2007.

During the hearing, Justice Arab asked Advocate Anwer Mansoor, one of Musharraf's counsels, to submit the statement regarding Musharraf's absence from today's hearing.

Mansoor said he was not able to meet his client and had no information regarding his absence.

When Justice Arab probed for an explanation, Mansoor replied that the condition of the former president's health was known to all and that he would not be able to attend the hearing.

The bench adjourned the hearing until tomorrow and reserved its ruling over Musharraf's absence from today's proceedings.

The ruling, which granted exemption to the former president, was announced 15 minutes later along with the instructions for the submission of his (Musharraf's) medical reports before the bench by 11:30 am tomorrow.

Moreover, police personnel barred the entry of media persons, who had arrived to cover the hearing, to the court premises. Media representatives staged a protest against the police action.

Earlier on Sunday, Musharraf's senior counsel Ahmed Raza Kasuri had said that his client would not make a scheduled appearance at his treason trial because of an ongoing illness.

The government had on Nov 17 announced its decision to formally prosecute the former president under Article 6 of the Constitution.

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Jan 06, 2014 12:46pm

Why can't they use Skype?

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bkh

Jan 06, 2014 02:04pm

Police should have facilitated the reporting of the court proceeding rather obstruct the covering by the journalists.

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MSA

Jan 06, 2014 05:13pm

This drama must end now. Nawaz is playing this vendetta game for two main reasons: diverting public's attention from real problems that he cannot solve, and bringing down Musharraf to the point that he cannot enter politics again. Nawaz is wrong. He is not a leader.

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Ahmad Farooq

Jan 06, 2014 05:28pm

A new chapter is being written in Pakistan's judicial history. These are serious and interesting times. Day to day events see cat and mouse maneuverings. But in reality it is a historic juncture and a test of the nerve of the judiciary. Will it show steel confronting Musharraf, the way Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary did (when Mush was all powerful)? Or will it chicken, when he is stripped and gagged? Which way the cookie crumbles? Timid (pre-Chaudhary) or bold and impartial and independent and fair - as the nation wishes?

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ameer tarin

Jan 06, 2014 07:04pm

Perhaps the new CJ is God fearing and remembers the hereafter. Judges are appointed to do justice but not to indulge in vendetta on behalf of people who are corrupt depriving poor people of their rights by coming to power through design and help of outside powers. Pakistan is slowly but surely coming to terms with the machinations of fifth column to destabilize Pakistan as all stand exposed. Pakistan zindabad! Wake up Pakistan,

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nazir

Jan 07, 2014 06:33am

Nawaz Sharif --- be bold. Let Musharaf form a political party and compete with you. If you believe in your capabilities you will win, if Musharaf does well he will win, but don't try to use unfair means to stop Musharaf. Musharaf let you come back and compete. At-least pay him back with the same gesture.

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jamal

Jan 08, 2014 03:47am

Who is clean in PML-N?

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Partner

Jan 08, 2014 02:20pm

@ameer tarin: In exile to whoever would listen Nawaz Sharif would be at pains to stress that he was a changed man and from bitter experience had learned what there was to learn. As we all know, before plunging to his fall Nawaz Sharif had wanted to become Amir-ul-Momineen, finding democracy and its checks and balances a nuisance.

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rafiq

Jan 09, 2014 07:33pm

Corrupts get freedom and clean people get punishment? Zardari and Nawaz are free.

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