ISLAMABAD - A local court Thursday rejected an application of former president Pervez Musharraf seeking permanent exemption from his appearance before the court in the murder case of former prayer leader of Lal Masjid Abdul Rashid Ghazi.
Additional District and Sessions (ADS) Judge Wajid Ali resumed the proceedings of Ghazi Abdul Rashid and his mother Sahiba Khatoon murder case and dismissed the exemption application. The court also summoned former military ruler general (Retd) Pervez Musharraf and his two guarantors on June 12.
During the proceedings, Akhtar Shah Advocate represented Musharraf while Tariq Asad Advocate appeared before the court on behalf of plaintiff Haroon Rashid son of late Ghazi Abdul Rashid.
Akhtar Shah contended before the court that police had placed the name of former president in column II in its incomplete challan and a court could not summon an accused whose name is placed in this column.
He further argued that Musharraf could not be appeared before the court until doctors permit him to travel and state ensure his security.
Plaintiff’s lawyer Tariq Asad Advocate and Abdul Haq Malik Advocate raising objections over the petition said that the law applies to everyone equally and Musharraf is feigning sickness.
They also argued that it is not the responsibility of state to produce an accused before the court and state is only responsible when an accused is arrested. Otherwise, it is the responsibility of the guarantors to present the accused before the court.
After hearing arguments of both sides, the court rejected Musharraf’s exemption plea and summoned him along with his two guarantors to appear before the court on June 12 the next date of hearing of the case.