Public prosecutors and the Islamabad police have failed to submit a challan of the judges’ detention case against former president Pervez Musharraf, even after over two months of proceedings, which may lead to the release of the former military ruler.
Musharraf, who ruled the country for almost a decade at the strength of his uniform, is facing trial at his farmhouse turned sub-jail. He is facing charges for detaining 60 judges of superior courts in 2007 after imposing a state of emergency in the country.
The prosecution, however, has so far failed to produce any sold evidence against the former president. The case against him is based on an FIR registered in 2009. Initially Musharraf was booked under Section 344 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which was a bailable offence, but a couple of months ago, on the direction of the Islamabad High Court, police added new sections under the 7-Anti Terrorism Act (commonly known as 7-ATA).
Speaking with Pakistan Today, Inspector Mubarik Ali of Secretariat Police, who is investigating this case, admitted that the challan is delayed. He added, however, that the police are doing whatever they can, and it is the concerned people –namely judges and some government organizations- who are not cooperating with the police.
“We have written to the Registrar Supreme Court for getting the statement of judges or their employees who witnessed the November 3 emergency episode. We have also requested the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for a copy of former prime minister Shaukat Aziz’s speech, which he delivered on November 4, but we are still awaiting their response,” said Ali.
He further stated that police had also approached Cabinet Division for getting details on Musharraf’s cabinet in order to select some ministers for interview/interrogations, but despite repeated requests they have not yet provided the required details. Police have also requested Cabinet Division to provide a copy of notification, if any exists, regarding the sacking of the judges.
In this case, 11 prosecution witnesses’ lawyers in the FIR have already refused to record their statements. These lawyers include former president of the District Bar Wajid Gilani, senior lawyer Fazlur Rehman Niazi, Muhammad Anwar Warrach, Niazullah Niazi, Muhammad Akram Ranjha, Anwar Khan and others. The main complainant of the FIR, advocate Aslam Ghuman has also backed out of the case, saying he would not purse it anymore in the greater national interest. The next hearing of the case is scheduled for Monday.