ISLAMABAD
Khalid Ranjha, former president Pervez Musharraf’s lawyer, on Friday said the Supreme Court judges were playing the role of “mercenary killers”.
During the hearing of treason case against Musharraf, the special court rejected a plea to transfer the case to a military court and summoned him on March 11.
The three-member bench, led by Justice Faisal Arab and comprising Justice Tahira Safdar and Justice Yawar Ali, heard the federation’s appeal for initiating a treason trial against Musharraf for subverting the constitution while issuing the proclamation of emergency rule on November 3, 2007.
In its ruling, the bench said only the special court was empowered to hear the treason case, on the ground that Musharraf retired in 2007, he is therefore not a part of army, so the case could not be heard under Army Act.
The court said the Army Act of 1977 was repealed in 1981, therefore, under the Army Act of 1976 only the special court is empowered to hear the case of high treason.
“This application is dismissed,” said Justice Arab.
The court later adjourned the case until March 4 and issued summons to Musharraf to appear on March 11 for charge-sheeting.
Musharraf, who appeared before the special court in the last hearing on Tuesday, avoided indictment on the request of his legal team, pleading that the jurisdiction of the special court should be decided first and the case be referred to a military court.
“This decision to try Musharraf in a civilian court is factually wrong. The facts have been twisted,” Musharraf’s lawyer Ahmad Raza Kasuri told reporters afterwards.
Khalid Ranjha, defence counsel, raised objection to the court’s decision and said the role played by the SC judges was like that of mercenary killers.
Justice Arab tried to stop him from saying so but Ranjha while continuing his remarks said he is ready to go to jail if he has to go there on his these remarks. The court’s decision is biased and like that of mercenary killers decision.
Justice Arab said that he could file an appeal against the decision but he should not use such language. “If you like to go to media then say such things outside the court.”
The court will announce judgement on the petitions pertaining to jurisdiction of court, appointment of judges, bias of the judges and procedure for lodging complaints on March 4.