Musharraf treason case to be heard on daily basis from Oct 9

• Court seeks suggestions from govt on ways to extradite absconding former dictator from Dubai

ISLAMABAD: A special court hearing the high treason case against former military dictator General (r) Pervez Musharraf on Monday said it will hear the case on a daily basis starting from October 9, as it invited suggestions on ways to extradite the absconding former president.

A two-member bench of the special court comprising Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Justice Yawar Ali and Justice Mazhar Akbar of the Sindh High Court (SHC) is hearing the case over the imposition of emergency rule by Musharraf in 2007.

Justice Yawar stressed that this would be the last time the hearing of this case will be adjourned.

“The case has to be taken to a logical conclusion therefore hearings will take place on a daily basis from Oct 9,” he remarked.

Justice Yawar said that senior prosecutor Naseeruddin Khan Nayyar will present arguments as the court’s legal adviser.

The bench also asked prosecutor Naseeruddin Khan Nayyar to assist the court in determining whether the accused’s statement can be recorded under Section 342 through video chat and if proceedings could progress in the absence of the accused.

All statements have been recorded in the case, Justice Yawar observed.

Justice Yawar further inquired the government representatives regarding the steps being taken for Musharraf’s appearance before the bench. To this, the Ministry of Interior representative said that a request was made for Musharraf’s arrest through Interpol.

Directing the Ministry of Interior to submit a written statement on whether Musharraf can be presented before the court, Justice Yawar adjourned the hearing till Oct 9.

During the last hearing, the interior secretary informed the court that Interpol had rejected the application seeking the issuance of red warrant against former military dictator Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf.

“Interpol says that such warrants are not issued in political cases,” the interior secretary had informed the court.

“Is there not another option besides Interpol to bring him back?” the judge asked, adding that the ministry should apprise the court in this regard in the next hearing.

The treason case was filed against Musharraf by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The special court had earlier directed the federal government to block Musharraf’s Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) and passport after the resumption of the treason case earlier this year. The PML-N-led government promptly followed the court’s directives. Musharraf left Pakistan in 2016 for medical treatment in Dubai after his named was revoked from the Exit Control List (ECL).

He has been residing in Dubai since.