- Chief prosecutor Akram Sheikh says evidence found only against Musharraf, terms request to include co-conspirators premature
Akram Sheikh, chief prosecutor in the high treason case against former president Pervez Musharraf, Wednesday informed the special court that no evidence was found about former military ruler’s consultation with then prime minister Shaukat Aziz and other subordinates for proclamation of emergency in the country.
The three-member court headed by Justice Faisal Arab comprising Justice Tahira Safdar and Justice Yawar Ali resumed hearing of the case.
During the hearing, Sheikh told the court that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) found evidences only against Musharraf for declaration of emergency, adding that the documents contained only his signature.
The chief prosecutor further said that according to law, the person signing a document is solely responsible for the act. The then prime minister was not notified in advance through any summary of the decision, he added.
He said that no evidence was found in Prime Minister’s Secretariat about the proclamation of emergency on November, 3, 2007 neither there was any proof that the prime minister’s advised Musharraf on the matter.
Sheikh said that the interior joint secretary had the report with him and if required would be presented in the court.
Sheikh said that the accused could study the report during the defence stage of the trial which occurs after the completion of testimonies.
Moreover, the prosecutor said that the request to include former president’s alleged co-conspirators in the trial was an effort to complicate the case. He said that implicating someone in a crime without evidence was unconstitutional and against the fundamental right for a fair trial of the accused.
Sheikh further said that it was also not known to the government who were abettors of Musharraf and only former president could tell about them. He said that to provide evidences to substantiate the claim regarding the involvement of facilitators was the responsibility of the accused.
Subsequently, the court after hearing the arguments of the chief prosecutor adjourned the hearing of the treason case until April 24 and said that the decision regarding the appointment of the prosecutor would be announced on April 18.
Musharraf’s counsel, Dr Farogh Naseem, had requested in the last hearing that the court grant disclosure and supply of copies of inquiries as well as the investigation report of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) that shows details of the abettors in the 2007 proclamation of emergency.
Earlier, the court had also granted Musharraf exemption from appearing in the case’s hearings, saying the accused could be ordered to appear whenever required.