The special court on Thursday ordered that a medical board should be constituted to review former president Pervez Musharraf’s health condition.
The court had reserved this order after a letter from Musharraf’s US-based doctor was presented before the court. The letter stated that the former president should be immediately sent abroad for medical treatment.
The three-member bench stated that the medical board of Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) senior doctors should inform the court about how serious is Musharraf’s condition, does he need to undergo a surgery and how long will he remain in the hospital.
The medical board will have to send its response to the court on January 24.
US ACQUAINTANCE
The US-based doctor – after reviewing Musharraf’s medical reports – recommended that the former military ruler should be immediately sent abroad for treatment.
Dr Arjumand Hashmi had treated Musharraf in the past. He expressed concern over Musharraf’s heart condition and said the former ruler should be sent to his hospital in Texas, US for treatment.
Hashmi made this recommendation in a letter to Musharraf’s lawyers. His assessment was based on the medical reports of the former president.
Anwar Maqsood – who is representing Musharraf in the treason case – presented this letter before the special court.
The letter was written on January 9.
The hearing of the case was adjourned to January 17.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) also dismissed a petition seeking exemption for Musharraf from appearing in person.
AHMED RAZA KASURI’S RAGE
Musharraf’s lawyer Ahmed Raza Kasuri, while talking to the media in Islamabad, stated that the special court bench formed to hear the treason case is unconstitutional.
“It was formed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and not the federal government,” Kasuri added, further stating that Nawaz is taking revenge from the former military ruler.
When questioned by a reporter about Musharraf’s current medical status, Kasuri got emotional and stated that the journalist “must be a paid Indian reporter.”
Former president Pervez Musharraf on Thursday did not appear in the special court hearing of treason trial against him.
The court adjourned the hearing till tomorrow (Friday.) It is likely that the court would consider issuance of his arrest warrant.
The hearing resumed earlier on Thursday. Headed by Justice Faisal Arab, the court had summoned Musharraf to appear in the hearing after giving its verdict pertaining to the proceedings of the case under criminal procedure last week. The court warned that it would issue an order against the former president if he failed to appear before it on Jan 16.
Musharraf’s counsel, Anwar Mansoor submitted a reply to the court which said his client could not appear in court today on account of his ill health.
The doctors have recommended that Musharraf be treated at a hospital in France, the same medical facility where he once underwent tests, the reply added.
MUSHARRAF’S ABSENCE IRKED ATC
Meanwhile, Musharraf’s absence also irked the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) which gave timelines to the defence team of the former dictator to produce him before the court through any means in the judges detention case by 12pm on Thursday, a private news channel reported.
ATC Judge Atiq-ur-Rehman was hearing the case.
Musharraf’s lawyer, Ilyas Siddiqui told the bench that his client could not appear before the court as he was under treatment at Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC).
In reply, the court ordered to produce Musharraf by 12:00PM in any case, even if an air ambulance is required to transport him to the court.
At 12pm, the court extended the timeline till 12:30pm to produce Musharraf.
The court resumed at 12:30pm. Hearing is now underway.