ISLAMABAD: The special court formed to try former president of Pakistan Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf for treason while ordering for the former military ruler to appear before it on Friday said that the former military ruler might be indicted on the same day, DawnNews reported.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Faisal Arab began resumed the hearing of the case during which Musharraf’s advocate Ahmad Raza Kasuri read out the letter on the situation of security by the interior ministry.
Kasuri said that from the beginning they had reservations over the security situation and one of the team lawyers had earlier informed the court regarding a possible attack on it.
In his arguments Kasuri further said the interior ministry in its statement mentioned that Musharraf’s life is in danger and the accused was coming to the court on its summons, so, it was the duty of the court to provide him security.
Kasuri said in case anything happens to the former president the responsibility would be on the three judges of the special court.
Upon hearing the arguments, Justice Arab said that Kasuri should act like a lawyer rather than a party to the act.
Akram Sheikh said that if the court consents then the government could provide security to Musharraf.
Sheikh added that the interior secretary informed him last night that security arrangements for the former president’s appearance in the court included deployment of 2200 personnel instead of 1100 and the state was bearing all of its expenses.
The chief prosecutor further said that a squad of the federal police was sent to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) to escort Musharraf to the special court.
Akram Sheikh said if the court issued orders for Musharraf to be taken into custody, the former president would be presented within 35 minutes from the AFIC.
Upon which Justice Arab responded that the court should be informed after completion of security arrangements for Musharraf, adding that the court acknowledges that 24 hours were insufficient for it.
Justice Arab further said due to these security conditions arrest warrants for Musharraf could not be issued.
Subsequently, the hearing of the case was adjourned until tomorrow and the court summoned Musharraf to appear before it on Friday.
Musharraf’s lawyers would present their arguments related to the Article 6 of the constitution and involvement of his aides tomorrow in the court.
Earlier before the hearing, the Musharraf-led All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) party members gathered outside AFIC to show solidarity with him and started protests against holding of the treason trial.
Also, security forces stopped the party members from going inside the hospital building.