Musharraf’s treason case to decide future of nation: Justice Khawaja

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja has said former president Pervez Musharraf’s treason case would decide the future of nation and court want to secure it by giving a verdict with reference to conviction of abrogator of constitution.
He said this while presiding over a three-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) during the hearing of the treason case against Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday.
Khawaja remarked, “We want to secure the future of nation by determining the limitations and boundaries of Article 6 and giving verdict on awarding punishment to the abrogator of the constitution. This case will decide the future of the nation. The case has not assumed significance due to Musharraf but it is a matter of national importance. We want to dispose of this case by investing time on it. We want that no impulsive and power hungry person could dare to take such unconstitutional step in future.”
AK Dogar, counsel for Maulvi Iqbal Haider, argued, “Sending notice to Musharraf was aimed at bringing into his notice that hearing of this case was continuing. The news with reference to case related to steps taken by Musharraf were being broadcast and telecast on print and electronic media continuously and how could it be possible that it was not in his knowledge. A notice was also sent to him on the address of his residence at Chak Shahzad. This is a separate issue that no one appeared on his behalf. Justice Jawwad S Khawaja has explained it in details and it has been said that the entire case stands transformed into one sentence that dispensation of justice is not possible by putting gun on the head.”
He also said, “I asked from my client if anyone appeared on behalf of Musharraf in the Sindh High Court and he said he has seen record and Abdul Hafiz Pirzada appeared in the court and he said that he had filed power of attorney from Musharraf side in court. But neither he appeared in the case and nothing could become known about the power of attorney.”
Justice Khilji said, “While announcing verdict 11-member bench had made it clear case was in the knowledge of Musharraf. But I have said that he may have considered it judges case.”
Ibrahim Satti said Musharraf was not made respondent.
Dogar said, “Judges were to see if the step taken by Musharraf was constitutional or otherwise. This is case of such a person about whom it is said that he has taken this step under a necessity of state and has declared him patriotic.”
Justice Khawaja remarked, “He abrogated the constitution by attaching importance to necessity of state.”
Dogar said November 3, 2007 step was a singular step in the history of the world.
The hearing of the case was adjourned until Wednesday (today).