Musharraf declared absconder in high treason case

Special Court directs FIA to produce the accused before the court on July 12; court may issue red warrant and seize entire property if accused does not attend hearing

ISLAMABAD: The Special Court, hearing the high treason case against former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf for imposing emergency rule on November 3, 2007, on Wednesday declared him an absconder for failing to appear in the court despite multiple directions.

The court declared Musharraf an absconder under Section 87 of Criminal Procedure Code and directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to produce him before it on July 12.Last month, the Special Court had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Musharraf and directed the FIA to ensure their execution till May 11.

A three-member bench of the Special Court, headed by Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and comprising Justice Tahira Safdar and Justice Yawar Ali, on Wednesday resumed hearing on the Federation’s complaint seeking initiation of high treason proceedings against the former president.

The court directed the prosecutor to publish advertisements in both Urdu and English newspapers declaring Musharraf an absconder, and place posters outside the court and Musharraf’s residences.

The prosecutor was also ordered to submit to the court the record of the entire property owned by the accused before the next hearing on July 12.Submitting the report, the prosecution informed the court that notices had been posted outside the residences of the accused in Islamabad and Karachi, but he could not be produced before the court, being abroad.

At this, Justice Mazhar warned that if Pervez Musharraf did not appear before the court on the next hearing, then the court may issue his red warrant and confiscate his properties.

In pursuance of the court’s earlier order, General (retd) Rashid Qureshi, guarantor of former military ruler in the present case, appeared before the court and deposited Rs2.5 million after which the court the release of his property.

On April 19, the court issued non-bailable arrest warrant for the accused and directed the FIA to ensure execution of non-bailable arrest warrant till May 11, 2016. The court had also forfeited the surety bond of Rs2.5 million furnished by Rashid Qureshi.

The court had further ruled that in case of non-execution of warrant, the executing officer should appear before the court on the date fixed along with the proof of search for the accused.