Musharraf challenges court’s verdict in high treason case

ISLAMABAD: Former president Pervez Musharraf has filed a petition in Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the special court’s decision to reserve its verdict of high treason case against him.

The former military ruler said that the special court has reserved the judgment of the case on November 19 without hearing his stance. The federal government, Ministry of Law and Justice, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Registrar Special Court have been made parties in his petition.

The petitioner said he is sick and staying in a foreign country, and therefore could not present his stance in the special court due to his illness. He pleaded for the suspension of the special court’s decision about reserving the verdict in the high treason case against him.

READ MORE: Court to announce verdict of Musharraf treason case on Nov 28

Musharraf also sought the court order for postponement of the hearing of the case till he recovers to health, and revision of the case as per the judgments of the Supreme Court. He also requested the court to issue an order for constitution of an impartial medical board for him.

The special court had reserved its verdict of high treason case which will be announced on November 28. The judgment will be announced by the court after a one-sided hearing.

The former president failed to appear before the court during the hearing of the case after going to Dubai for medical treatment in 2016. The hearing of the case was conducted by a three-member bench presided over by Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth.

READ MORE: Court adjourns Pervez Musharraf’s hearing till Oct 8

Musharraf’s lawyer Raza Bashir did not show up before the court in last the hearing as he was in Saudi Arabia for performing Umrah. During the hearing, the court had remarked that Musharraf’s lawyers can submit their written arguments regarding the case till November 26.

Musharraf was booked in the treason case in December 2013 and was indicted for high treason by a special court in March 2014, but he left for Dubai in 2016 to seek medical treatment and has not returned since.

The former president is accused of treason under Article 6 for subverting the Constitution during the imposition of an emergency on Nov 3, 2007 and detaining judges of the superior courts.