The counsel for former military ruler General (r) Pervez Musharraf on Thursday once again asked for the constitution of a larger bench of the Supreme Court to hear petitions seeking treason charges against him.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, heard a set of petitions seeking the initiation of a treason case against the former army strongman.
At the very outset Qamar Afzal, who is representing Musharraf, asked for the constitution of a larger bench on the pretext that the issue before the apex court was of paramount importance, thus requiring a larger bench to decide the case.
The court had already rejected pleas for the constitution of a full bench and instead added a judge to the previously formed two-member bench that was hearing the case against Musharraf.
Replying to Musharraf’s counsel, Justice Khawaja said the bench was expanded on the request of Ibrahim Satti, another lawyer representing Musharraf.
However, Qamar Afzal urged the court to reconsider his plea on the ground that the trial should be seen to be conducted in a free and fair manner.
Responding to this, Justice Khawaja said the trial was not important simply because Musharraf was involved in it, adding that its focus was Article 6 of the Constitution.