ISLAMABAD: An additional district and sessions judge (ADSJ) on Saturday directed the counsel for former military ruler retired General Pervez Musharraf to ensure his presence in Abdul Rashid Ghazi murder case on December 6.

ADSJ Wajid Ali then issued directives to inspector general (IG) of Islamabad police to make security arrangements for the former president and submit a report in this regard to him.

Ghazi Rasheed and his mother died during Lal Masjid operation in 2007.

Akhtar Shah, the counsel for Gen Musharraf, told the court that former army chief was ready to appear in the court if security was provided to him.

He said a letter regarding deployment of security had also been written to the Islamabad IG and his reply was awaited.

He, however, argued that the police in their challan had found nothing incriminating against Gen Musharraf as the Lal Masjid episode was in fact an army action where the military acted in the aid of civil administration.

He said in fact he was placed in Column 2 which meant the police believed he was innocent but had left him at the mercy of the court.

Advocate Shah said that the army was requisitioned by the district administration of Islamabad to handle the situation which had gone out of their control.

He requested the court to exempt former military ruler from appearance because of his ailment and security reason but the judge rejected the request. ADSJ Ali adjourned further proceedings till December 6.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2014