ISLAMABAD: The hearing of the treason case against former military dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday was adjourned until March 7 after the ex-military strongman’s lawyers voiced concerns regarding the security situation, DawnNews reported.

A three-member special court bench under Justice Faisal Arab heard the case during which Musharraf’s lawyers expressed security concerns and said they could not continue with the court proceedings under the prevailing security situation.

One of the former president’s lawyers Anwar Mansoor mentioned he was stopped at gunpoint in Karachi.

Justice Arab inquired from Mansoor if he could recommend a better security solution to which he replied that he would have to think over the matter.

Mansoor also told the court that he was not provided with security despite the court’s earlier orders to which Justice Arab replied that he had refused the security on his own.

Another lawyer fot Musharraf, Rana Ijaz, assured the court that it would also be attacked and all the three judges and chief prosecutor Akram Sheikh would be blown up.

After hearing this, Justice Arab responded that though dangers existed nothing could be done about it and the case could not be stopped in order to wait for a suitable time over the threats.

Kasuri claimed that if anything were to happen to him the Sharif brothers would be held responsible adding that he had taken one prime minister to the gallows and would bring the Sharif brothers as well.

Meanwhile, prosecutor Akram Sheikh said that he would continue his struggle against terrorism.

Musharraf’s team of lawyers presented an alleged threat letter by Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the court and claimed while under oath that an attack could occur in the special court as well.

Counsel for the former president, Ahmed Raza Kasuri, read the letter in the court which said that if lawyers Hafeez Pirzada, Anwar Mansoor and Kasuri did not dissociate themselves from Musharraf’s trial, the three would face dire consequences.

Kasuri added that the attack in a court in Islamabad two days earlier also appeared to have been linked to the same issue.

Musharraf’s lawyers told the court that protesting the court attack in Islamabad, bar councils had decided to boycott court proceedings until March 9 and all lawyers were subordinate to their instructions

Subsequently, the court resumed the hearing of the case until Mar 7.

Talking to media persons after the hearing, Kasuri said that in the prevailing situation he would advise his client not to appear in court nor would he step down from his position of Musharraf’s counsel.

He further said that he was not under any fear with regard to the letter and that his motive was only to inform the court regarding the development.

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