Musharraf high treason case ruling reserved till 28th

ISLAMABAD: A special court on Tuesday reserved judgment in high treason case against former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf till November 28.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court and the head of the special court, Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth, and comprising Justice Nazar Akbar and Justice Shahid Karim heard the case.

Justice Seth inquired as to whether any permission was obtained from the court before removing prosecution team. Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Sajid Ilyas Bhatti replied that prosecutor Akram Sheikh had resigned following change of government. He said a new prosecution team was appointed on Sheikh’s recommendation, which the government sacked on October 23.

Justice Akbar remarked whether the interior ministry was unaware that the prosecution team was working even after the resignation of the prosecutor. The DAG said interior ministry perhaps knew about it. Justice Akbar said interior ministry officials had appeared before the court several times so how it was possible that they did not know about it.

Justice Karim, while addressing the DAG, remarked that the court had summoned interior secretary and not him so let him talk, as the court removed the DAG from rostrum.On a query, the court registrar said Musharraf’s counsel was in Saudi Arabia for performing Umrah. Justice Seth remarked that third chance was given to the counsel to give arguments. “Prosecution has filed written arguments which are enough for us. If Musharraf’s counsel wants he can file written arguments till November 26,” he said.After taking a recess of half an hour, the court decided to reserve decision on the high treason case against Musharraf till November 28.