LAHORE: The Supreme Court on Thursday withdrew its interim order allowing former military dictator retired Gen Pervez Musharraf to file nomination papers for July 25 general elections as he failed to appear before it despite an opportunity afforded to him by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar.

As the hearing of the case titled “Syed Pervez Musharraf vs Appellate Tribunal 2013” commenced, Qamar Afzal, the counsel for the former president, came to the rostrum and told the four-judge bench that his client was not coming to Pakistan.

“Musharraf had a plan to return but cannot travel due to the Eid holidays,” he said, adding that his client sought more time for his appearance before the court.

Former military ruler fails to appear in court despite being given second chance

CJP Nisar adjourned hearing of Mr Musharraf’s appeal till his return to the country and recalled a previous order that allowed him to file nomination papers for the elections with the condition that he must appear before the court on June 13. The chief justice had also assured him of giving protection from the airport to the court.

The chief justice had given another opportunity to the former president to appear in court on Thursday after he failed to grab the first chance. The chief justice had also ordered the National Database and Registration Authority to unblock the computerized national identity card and passport of Mr Musharraf and, therefore, he was left with no excuse for not returning to the country.

Meanwhile, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Yawar Ali has appointed District and Sessions Judge Rao Abdul Jabbar as registrar of the special court for Mr Musharraf’s high treason trial.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2018