LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Friday dismissed for non prosecution a petition seeking registration of high treason case against former president Asif Ali Zardari for his alleged statements against the Pakistan Army.

Advocate Aftab Virk had filed the petition contending that the former president used derogatory language against the army in one of his speeches. He said the army was busy with operation Zarb-i-Azb and such a statement against it at this time was not good.

The petitioner-lawyer said the former president had committed treason by attacking and maligning the institution of army. He asked the court to try Mr Zardari under Article 6 of the Constitution.

The chief justice had been hearing arguments from the petitioner side on the maintainability of the petition on previous hearings. The chief justice dismissed the plea as it remained unrepresented on many dates.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2016