The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday said that the treason case against former military ruler General (r) Pervez Musharraf would be heard by a special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC).
A three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja was hearing a set of petitions seeking the initiation of a treason case against the former army strongman.
During the hearing, AK Dogar, counsel for petitioner Maulvi Iqbal Haider, presented his arguments before the bench, saying the court could not issue any indirect orders, but could instruct the government with regards to implementing Article 6 of the Constitution.
Dogar added that media reports had been stating that Musharraf was due to leave the country and requested the court to issue an order in this regard.
Meanwhile, Musharraf’s counsel, Ahmed Raza Kasuri, told the court that he had met with his client the previous night and the former president had said that he would not leave the country.
Justice Khawaja remarked that the bench should be informed as to how an army chief could impose emergency in the country, adding that as per law, the chief of army staff was a subordinate officer and bound to report to Secretary Defence regarding his actions.
Moreover, he said in accordance with Article 6 of the Constitution, the government was responsible for the investigations in the case but the Interior Ministry would dilly dally whenever approached on the matter.
Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said the treason case against Musharraf would now be heard by the special ATC, which would also decide on framing charges against the former military ruler. The court subsequently adjourned the hearing to June 3.
