Court summons Musharraf to record statement on 31st

ISLAMABAD: The Special Court constituted for trial of former president Pervez Musharraf Tuesday summoned him to record his statement on March 31 for allegedly abrogating and subverting the Constitution by proclamation of emergency on November 3, 2007.

The three-member bench headed by Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel and comprising Justice Yawar Ali and Justice Tahira Safdar heard the high treason case registered under Article 6 of the Constitution against Pervez Musharraf for imposing emergency in the country.

During the course of proceeding, prosecutor Akram Sheikh appeared before the bench and stated that the case should be heard on a daily basis.

He said the Special Court on November 14, 2014 directed to include three more names including former prime minister Shaukat Aziz, former chief justice Abdul Hameed Dogar and the then law minister Zahid Hamid in the case.

They approached the Islamabad High Court against the Special Court verdict and agreed on fresh investigation in the case, Sheikh said.He said evidence and other formal proceedings have been completed and completion of statement recording by the witnesses. The accused has to record his statement under CrPc 342. He pleaded the court to summon Musharraf for recording his statement according to amended Criminal Act 1976.

He said the Supreme Court in its recent judgement had stated that the Special Court has no authority to include anyone’s name in the list as only federal government can lodge a complaint. Justice Mian Mazhar asked whether the accused had immunity to appear before the court. On which Akram Sheikh replied that the court had not granted any immunity.

Faisal Chaudhry counsel for the former president stated that Musharraf was on bail and that he is exempted from appearing in the hearing.Faisal Chaudhry also submitted medical report of the former president during the proceedings.

On which Justice Mian Mazhar expressed resentment and ordered to submit the report through proper channel.He said Barrister Farogh Nasim main counsel for Musharraf in the case could not appear due to lawyers strike over Shabqadar incident.

Justice Mian Mazhar remarked that they had reviewed the Supreme Court’s verdict in Abdul Hameed Dogar case and now the court would summon the former president to record his statement.Subsequently, the court issued notice to Pervez Musharraf to appear in the court on March 31.