Musharraf seeks exemption from Special Court hearing

ISLAMABAD: Former President Gen (R) Pervez Musharaf has sought exemption from appearance before the Special Court for today (Tuesday) on medical grounds.

The former President filed the application before a three-member bench of the Special Court headed by Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel which will resume hearing today in the federation’s complaint seeking initiating of high treason case against him for imposing emergency rule on November 3, 2007.

The application filed by Ahmed Raza Kasuri, counsel for Pervez Musharaf, contended that the applicant/respondent is abroad for his medical treatment i.e. surgical management. Due to this reason, he is unable to furnish appearance before this Court today (Tuesday).

The learned counsel submitted that the non-appearance of the applicant/respondent is not intentional but due to the unavoidable medical condition. He prayed the Special Court that the applicant/respondent (Pervez Musharaf) may kindly be dispensed from appearance before this Court for today (Tuesday) and sought adjournment in the instant matter for 14 weeks.

The application contended that the health condition of Pervez Musharaf became extremely serious during the last week of February and the respondent was again admitted to PNS Shifa Hospital.

The doctors after conducting various tests advised the respondent to get his surgery to avoid any serious complications. Since the prescribed treatment could not be facilitated in Pakistan in absence of the requisite techniques and equipment, the respondent needed to proceed out of country for the surgical management, he said.

It was submitted that the Supreme Court vide a short order dated 16-03-2016 upheld the order of the Sindh high Court whereby the respondent’s name was removed from the ECL.After getting permission from the Supreme Court and with the consent of the complainant – the Interior Ministry – the respondent’s name was removed from ECL and he proceeded to abroad for his medical treatment, where he consulted with his doctors, said Musharraf’s lawyer.