ISLAMABAD: Former military dictator retired General Pervez Musharraf has expressed willingness to face the high treason trial under army’s protection and on the assurance from the court that he would be given a safe passage for return to Dubai.

Mr Musharraf, who was declared an absconder in the high treason case in May last year, also wanted the court to recall the order. He extended the offer through an application filed with the court by his counsel Akhtar Shah.

The three-judge special court, comprising Justice Yahya Afridi of Peshawar High Court, Justice Yawar Ali of Lahore High Court and Justice Tahira Safdar of Balochistan High Court, resumed proceedings on Friday.

In the application filed with the special court, Mr Musharraf requested for “foolproof security by the ministry of defence.”

The application said in case the court directs the federal government to provide foolproof security to him by armed forces under the defence ministry, “the applicant may be allowed to travel back to his place of temporary residence in Dubai.”

Seeks security by army and court assurance that he will not be restrained from going back to Dubai

Mr Musharraf also requested the court that “he may not be detained during his appearance in the court or restrained from travelling back to his place of temporary residence.”

It may be mentioned that after Mr Musharraf arrived in Pakistan in 2013, the civilian law enforcement agencies took him into custody in connection with the Benazir Bhutto murder, judges’ detention and Lal Masjid cleric’s murder cases.

The former military ruler, however, obtained post-arrest bail in all these cases. The PML-N government later filed a complaint against him under Article 6 for suspending the Constitution on November 3, 2007.

He remained on the no-fly list until March 2016 when his name was removed from the exit control list and he was allowed to travel abroad. Since then the former military ruler has been staying Dubai.

The recent application, however, pointed out that besides security issues Mr Musharraf was suffering from an ailment and his physicians did not advise him to travel.

“The applicant is under constant watch and treatment by specialists and had been advised not to travel till his health improves,” the application said.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Akram Sheikh opposed Musharraf’s request saying courts cannot entertain such applications as fugitives are not entitled to any relief or representation through counsel unless they surrender to the court.

The bench, however, issued notice to the state and adjourned the hearing to May 19.

Published in Dawn, May 06th, 2017