QUETTA: An anti-terrorism court here indicted on Wednesday former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, former interior minister and Qaumi Watan Party leader Aftab Ahmed Sherpao and former home minister of Balochistan Mir Shoaib Nausherwani in the Nawab Akbar Bugti murder case, but all of them pleaded not guilty.

Judge Aftab Ahmed Lone expressed resentment over the absence of retired Gen Musharraf and non-establishment of a medical board to ascertain his illness.

Mr Sherpao, Mr Nausher­wani, the counsel for Mr Musharraf and Nawab Bugti’s son Jamil Bugti were present in the court.

The counsel for Mr Musharraf sought his exemption from appearance for a day on medical grounds but the court was not satisfied and asked Balochistan’s director general of health to appear in the next hearing.

The counsel for Jamil Bugti said Mr Musharraf appeared in TV talk shows but was unwilling to face the trial.

The court adjourned the hearing till Feb 4 and said that subsequent proceedings would be held on a day-to-day basis.

Published in Dawn January 15th , 2015

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