Treason case: Court says Musharraf to be indicted Friday

Published March 13, 2014
Former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf. — File photo
Former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf. — File photo

ISLAMABAD: The special court constituted to try former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf for high treason adjourned the matter until tomorrow saying the order issued for indicting him on March 14 stood intact, DawnNews reported.

The three judge court headed by Justice Faisal Arab of the Sindh High Court heard the case today against the ex-army strongman.

During the hearing, Justice Arab remarked that the order to produce Musharraf in court on March 14 remained intact.

Meanwhile, Musharraf’s counsel, Anwar Mansoor, told the court he was not feeling well, adding that there was no chance of his recovery even by tomorrow.

Responding to which, Justice Arab said the court could not coerce anyone to give arguments in a case. He added that presenting an argument was the defence counsel’s prerogative.

The judge added that the court could not stop the proceedings of the case even if Mansoor did not present his arguments for a month or two.

The court ordered Musharraf’s production before it tomorrow and subsequently adjourned the hearing of the case.

ISI briefs special court judges

The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) briefed the special court judges on the security alert issued relating to Musharraf, adding that it was a matter of routine.

The ISI representatives told the judges that the latest alert was issued after a call had been traced in relation to a possible attack being planned against Musharraf.

The men who briefed the judges after the hearing was adjourned said the threat to Musharraf's life was real, adding that militant groups had been planning to attack the ex-army strongman.

Earlier on Wednesday, the court had sought a briefing from the agency which had issued the threat alert hours before Musharraf’s scheduled indictment in the high treason case.

Musharraf was scheduled to be indicted on Tuesday but the court deferred it for March 14 on account of the security alert.

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