Treason case a matter of eight to 10 days, says prosecutor

E-Paper | May 04, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The special court formed to try former president Pervez Musharraf for treason resumed its hearing on Wednesday during which chief prosecutor, Akram Shaikh, said that in light of the evidence, the case was now a matter of eight to 10 days, DawnNews reported.

The three-member court, headed by Justice Faisal Arab of the Sindh HIgh Court, heard the case during which prosecution and defence lawyers presented their arguments.

In his arguments, chief prosecutor Akram Sheikh said he had been speaking of either a life term or a death sentence for the former president with regard to the High Treason Punishment Act 1973.

He added that in every interview he had stated that he was bound by the law and the Constitution and had further said that being a lawyer he had every right to ascertain the term of the case which in light of the evidence was now a matter of eight to 10 days.

Sheikh said that there was no bias in his statements.

He, moreover, said that his statement on the former military dictator's blood pressure was made in the court and not to any television channels, adding that CDs of his interviews could be viewed and if a bias was evident in any of them then the court could choose to replace him.

Sheikh further said that the trial had yet to begin so it was difficult to reconcile with the idea that the prosecutor's bias could already be detected.

Reaching the end of his argument, the chief prosecutor said that the complaint and the concerned evidence had been submitted by the federal government and the prosecution had no independent role in it.

The court took a short recess after hearing the prosecution's arguments following which counsel for Musharraf, Anwar Mansoor, presented his arguments.

After arguments were concluded from both sides for the day, the court adjourned the hearing to tomorrow.

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Raza Shahid

Mar 26, 2014 01:57pm

It seems very absurd that the judiciary is all-out against a person who actually did some good while the looters have got 'Immunity' and are planning to loot n plunder further!!! WAKE UP PAKISTANIS!!!

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Atif

Mar 26, 2014 02:40pm

@Raza Shahid: He is paying the price for not being the son of the soil !!!!

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raj

Mar 26, 2014 03:08pm

What a waste of public funds and yet the people of Tharparker suffer in vain. PMLN is showing that they are whiter than white, hypocracy at its best. A treason case should have been pursuid against Nawaz Sharif for hijacking a plane, looting the national wealth and favouring the relatives in the appointment of high profile jobs. There are many cases pending in courts that date back to more than 20 years or so, but the courts are adament to try Musharraf alone. Justice, what Justice!

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Masoud

Mar 26, 2014 03:17pm

All seems cooked up, otherwise how the chief prosecutor is so sure about the outcome in days. I think this case in its current prospective should be dismissed A New broad based case should be filed with more transparency & sub judice.

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Wachucha

Mar 26, 2014 03:51pm

Why even ten days? It would be much better and would cost nation a lot less money and agony for this so called judiciary to announce their verdict within 24 hours that Gen Musharraf is guilty. This whole drama is set up to achieve that. What a shame.

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Mohammad Iqbal

Mar 26, 2014 03:55pm

The only disqualification of Musharraf is that he is not born on the banks of Ravi. Otherwise, you can buy and sell sub marines at a quarter price and you will not be touched for fear of getting current from GHQ

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Shaikh Mohommd

Mar 26, 2014 04:29pm

Sadly some of your readers are jumping the gun. Let us wait for the verdict of the courts. This case will show whether the law applies to high and mighty or it applies only to the weak. After all, the constitution of Pakistan should be paramount and no one has a right to flout it. This will be the first case which will send a clear signal that over-throwing a civilian Government by dint of power of barrel is not going to be tolerated. For the first time, there is a likelihood that constitution will prevail. I request the prosecutor to keep in mind that no one is above law. Ballot or Bullet - sadly some of your readers prefer the latter.

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Nazir

Mar 26, 2014 04:35pm

If it is a matter of 10 days, then it is pre-decided game... Mushraf will not get justice at all..

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islam Khan

Mar 26, 2014 04:42pm

@Atif: What better son of soil you can have than this one who served your country as a true brave soldier.

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Muhammed Ali

Mar 26, 2014 06:41pm

@Raza Shahid: Wake up Pakistanis? Not a chance and these corrupt leaders know that, i look with envy at the Tunisians and the Egyptians, they want change and they got it, we just want to sit at home and moan...our destiny will not change anytime soon.....sad though that is.Musharraf made mistakes which he has held his hands up for, but he did so much for Pakistan, i hope he is aquitted, but then again some believe that they have recently seen Elvis.

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Shafiq Khan

Mar 26, 2014 07:35pm

@Raza Shahid: Sir, How could you make a judgement about the Judiciary, where is the evidence? I hope you do not mean that the case against a dictator should not be tried. The most absurd thing is that people like you have already decided the case. How can you judge that he has done some good things ? Let the evidence come to light and let the authorised people come to a decision before you give your unwarranted and baseless judgements. You have no knowledge of the facts that will be presented before the court. Or perhaps the wrong doers should be judged by people like you and we should do away the judiciary all together ! Shafiq

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Syed Ahmed

Mar 26, 2014 08:04pm

A simple case of temporary suspension of certain articles of the constitution has been converted in to high treason. The politicians as well as judiciary are daringly disregarding the constitution since last six years. Sheikh said that there was no bias in his statements. He is a liar, on 30th November 2013, he unequivocally admitted in the TV program

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Ishrat salim

Mar 26, 2014 09:33pm

@Shaikh Mohommd: With due respect....has constitution prevailed in terms of Local govt election, free education clause 62, 63 etc; has law prevailed in terms of Swiss case, Asghar khan case which till now has not been taken up by FIA and many more.....not one high profile case ever concluded...has it ? so why in this case....although the present PM himself is a product of a dictator.....

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syed wasim haider

Mar 26, 2014 11:07pm

There is no doubt that during Musharaf rule, so many development schemes were completed even in the rural areas. Corruption was much less than today; he had a better team of administrators. How is that his Law Minister now is in PML-N and is not questioned for his role in the events. In short, Musharaf is a person with vision whereas present rulers are having short time goals. Let their foreign accounts be checked to get a clear picture.

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Syed

Mar 27, 2014 07:10am

Pakistan Army has to wake up and make a decision otherwise all future generals will be treated like dogs in the hands of civilian wolves. I expect that Pakistan Army won't let these civilian dictators to loot and plunge the country so freely. I am asking for justice otherwise in this case even the army's image will be tarnished and people of Pakistan will be forced to think that Mr Kiyani alongwith the current generals are all involved in punishing Pervez Musharraf just because he is not the son of soil.

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