ISLAMABAD - The Special Court hearing high treason case against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf Monday announced that it would hear the case on daily basis from October 9.
The court also observed that the high treason case had to be taken to its logical end. It also directed the federal government to submit its reply whether or not it could ensure presence of accused Musharraf in the court.
The two-judge special court headed by Lahore High Court Chief Justice Yawar Ali and comprising Sindh High Court judge Justice Nazar Akbar took up the case. The court considered whether statement of the accused could be recorded in his absence and if his statement could not be recorded, then what options were available so that hearings of the case could be conducted.
The court asked if there was any option besides Interpol to bring Musharraf back. It said that the interior ministry should inform the court in this regard in the next hearing.
Justice Yawar remarked that it was the last time of adjournment of the case, adding that the case had to be taken to its logical conclusion. Justice Yawar further said that senior prosecutor Nasiruddin Khan Nayyar will present arguments as the court’s legal adviser. The judge observed that all statements had been recorded in the case.
The court also asked prosecutor Nasiruddin to assist the court in determining whether the accused person’s statement could be recorded under Section 342 of Criminal Procedure Code through video chat and if proceedings could progress in absence of the accused. To this, the Ministry of Interior representative said that a request was made for Musharraf’s arrest through Interpol.
On August 29, the special court was informed by an official that Interpol had refused to issue a red notice against the former military ruler.
Stating that it does not issue red notices in ‘political case’, the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) refused to issue a red notice for extradition of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, the accused in high treason case under Article 6 on account of abrogating the Constitution and imposing emergency.
The court, however, had directed the federal government to respond if Musharraf’s statement could be recorded through video conference and if the case could be further heard without recording Musharraf’s statement under Section 342 of CrPC.
On August 20, the SC had summoned secretary interior to explain the ministry’s position as to why Musharraf was not produced before the court despite non bailable arrest warrants.
Secretary Interior Yousaf Naseem Khokhar had appeared before the bench and informed that a letter was written to Interpol for Musharraf’s extradition.
However, he had added, the officials of Interpol refused to issue a red warrant on the ground that ‘it does not deal in political cases’.
On August 29, Akram Shaikh, the prosecutor appointed by previous government in the case, appeared and submitted an application stating he wanted to recues himself from the case.
SYED SABEEHUL HUSSNAIN
