SC seeks report on delay in trial against Musharraf

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday asked the registrar of a special court to submit a report on the delay of former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf’s trial. A three-member bench of the SC headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa today and issued notice to the Registrar of the special court hearing case against Musharraf over proclamation of emergency in the country. Justice Mazhar Alam and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah are other two members of the bench. During the hearing, the chief justice remarked, “If the accused is deliberately skipping to appear (in the hearing) it must not handicap the court.” “An accused asked in his statement under Section 342 CrPC, if he is agreed or not with the witness accounts. If the accused not appearing in the hearing then the court should deem his reply in negative,” Justice Khosa remarked. The apex court ordered the registrar to submit report in the court within 15 days. The court issued notices to Pervez Musharraf and the federal government. The respondents’ lawyers have been asked to appear in court at the next hearing. “We will review how to move forward with the trial in the absence of Pervez Musharraf,” the court said. The counsel of Lahore Bar said in the hearing that the trial has been suspended due the stay of the defendant abroad. The bench issued notices to the Federation, Pervez Musharraf and the registrar of the special court. The court adjourned further hearing of the case till March 25. It is pertinent to mention here that a special court told the SC about the progress in the treason case against Pervez Musharraf. The special court has been hearing the case against the former president in which he has been charged for suspending the Constitution in 2007. Musharraf has pleaded not guilty and said the charges are politically motivated.