Special court adjourns Musharraf high treason case till June 12

ISLAMABAD: The special court on Thursday accepted former military dictator Pervez Musharraf’s plea to adjourn high treason case till June 12 after the former president failed to appear at the hearing.

The three-member bench led by Justice Tahira Safdar heard the matter.

Likewise, the court also issued a notice to the federal government over Musharraf’s plea seeking acquittal.

During the hearing, Musharraf’s counsel Barrister Salman Safdar filed an application seeking an adjournment. “The former dictator is critical and therefore not allowed to travel,” he told the court.

Safdar, on behalf of Musharraf, requested the special court to adjourn the proceedings until after Ramazan. He also presented the accused’s medical history and test reports.

The plea comprised photographic evidence and stated that in light of the life-threatening medical condition of the petitioner [Musharraf], it must be accounted that his absence is caused due to factors beyond control.

Musharraf, who was indicted for high treason by a special court in March 2014, left for Dubai in 2016 to “seek medical treatment” and hasn’t returned since. The Supreme Court had said Musharraf would lose the right to defence in case of non-appearance on next hearing.

In his application, the former president’s counsel pleaded the special court that in the ‘interest of justice’ and on compassionate grounds, the matter be adjourned till after Ramazan.

It added that Musharraf was keen to return while stating that he came to Pakistan on March 24, 2013, of his own free will and initiative to face three criminal cases. The treason cases were filed later, it added.

The application said that the trial could not be completed during the two years when the petitioner [Musharraf] was available and present in Pakistan. The plea further argues that his absence is not deliberate, willful or an excuse to avoid the ongoing treason case.

The petitioner should not be treated as ‘fugitive from the law’ or ‘proclaimed offender’ as was declared through the special court in June 2016, the counsel argued.

It also stated that Musharraf’s health has deteriorated and worsened significantly, with the latest assessment terming his condition ‘unsafe’ with high risk for his health and wellbeing in case he discontinues treatment or travels.

It added that the former dictator has experienced weight loss while both his physical and mental health has largely been compromised.

Source: Express Tribune