ISLAMABAD: A board comprising doctors of the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology has declared the condition of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf as critical and recommended his treatment at a place of his choice.

Advocate Mohammad Akram Sheikh, head of the prosecution team in the high treason trial, rejected the report and called for constitution of another medical board comprising civilian doctors to assess retired Gen Musharraf’s health.

The three-judge special court, headed by Justice Faisal Arab of the Sindh High Court (SHC), had constituted the board comprising all senior doctors of the AFIC to examine the heart condition of Gen Musharraf.

It comprised Maj Gen Syed Imran Majeed, commandant and executive director of the AFIC; Brig Safdar Abbas, deputy commandant; Brig Mohammad Qaiser Khan and Col Mohammad Afsheen Iqbal of the AFIC and the National Institute of Heart Diseases (NIHD) respectively.

They said “a coronary angiogram is required urgently to ascertain the need for further interventions, like coronary artery bypass graft surgery, to optimise the management”.

“The patient has expressed his keenness to undergo coronary angiography. However, he has reserved his right to undergo coronary angiography or any subsequent intervention at a medical facility of his choice. He feels that although adequate facilities for coronary artery disease management (coronary angiography, angioplasty/stenting and cardiac surgery) exist in Pakistan. There is a paucity of advanced cardiac support system available in the country,” the report said.

The board said: “The seriousness and unpredictability of the disease warrant close and constant medical supervision of the patient till a decision to undertake further procedure / interventions is taken. The decision in this regard needs to be taken as early as possible.”

A personal physician of Gen Musharraf, Dr Arjumand Hashmi, director of interventional cardiology at the Paris Regional Medical Centre, Texas, had recommended on Jan 9 that Gen Musharraf “be transferred at the earliest to our medical facility to be provided further diagnostic and therapeutic treatment”.

Opposing the recommendations, Advocate Sheikh expressed lack of confidence over the AFIC report. He said the accused might go abroad for treatment on the basis of the report.

“Why Musharraf is reluctant to be treated in the AFIC and has not trusted this institution?”

He suggested that a medical board comprising senior doctors and cardiologists of the Aga Khan Hospital, Shifa International and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences be constituted to re-examine the condition of Gen Musharraf.

“I have certain objections over the report and intend to file an application in this regard by Monday,” Advocate Sheikh said.

He pointed out that under Article 25 of the constitution, all the citizens enjoyed the same rights and if Gen Musharraf would be allowed treatment abroad then all the accused suffering from heart problems should be permitted to be treated at the medical facilities of their choice.

While Advocate Sheikh was arguing before the court, Gen Musharraf’s counsel Ahmed Raza Kasuri warned him against criticising the army’s institution AFIC.

Akhtar Shah, another lawyer from Musharraf’s side, also stood up and shouted at the senior prosecutor: “I will tear anyone who dares to attack the army or its institution.”

“This is enough,” Justice Arab said, adding: “Is this the way to proceed with the matter. Do you want to make a mockery of Pakistan’s judicial system?”

He said that since this matter was the first of its kind, at the initial stage the unexpected behaviour of either side was tolerable, but not at this stage.

“If one is not satisfied with our orders, there are appellate forums where our orders can be challenged, but such emotions cannot be allowed inside this courtroom,” he added.

Sharifuddin Pirzada, senior counsel for Gen Musharraf told the court that he had not uttered even a single word. “I believe in the dignity of the court and cordiality between the defence and prosecution sides,” he added.

The court decided to hear the objections of Advocate Sheikh before passing an order on the report of the medical board and adjourned the proceedings till Jan 29.