Interpol refuses to bring Musharraf back to Pakistan

The interior secretary on Wednesday told the special court that Interpol has refused to help to bring former president Pervez Musharraf back to Pakistan.

The interior secretary told the two-judge bench headed by Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Mr. Justice Yawar Ali and Sindh High Court’s (SHC) Justice Nazar Akbar which heard the high treason case against Musharraf.

The special court in Islamabad was informed by the interior secretary that the Pakistan government wrote a letter to Interpol requesting to bring back former president to Pakistan.

“The Interpol excused and told the reason that cases of political nature are out of their jurisdiction,” the official stated.

The court has directed the secretary to submit the written response of Interpol.

The resignation of Akram Sheikh, the government prosecutor for the Musharraf treason case, was also approved by the bench during the hearing.

“The newly-elected government may choose to continue with the prosecution of the case and appoint a counsel of its own liking,” he stated in his resignation.

Justice Yawar remarked that in the next hearing, the bench will try to push the case into its concluding phase.

 The case was later adjourned till September 10.

 On August 20, the special court released non-bailable arrest warrants of the former president, but owing to the absence of the accused, the court summoned secretary of the interior on the next hearing.

In March 2014, the special court indicted Gen Musharraf (retd) for high treason while the prosecution presented its evidence the same year.  However, thereafter, the special court could not proceed with the case as the IHC issued a stay order and the former military ruler left the country.

Musharraf was declared a proclaimed offender and court also issued the confiscation order of his properties. 

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