ABBOTTABAD, Oct 30 The district and sessions judge on Friday ordered authorities to declare former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf a proclaimed offender and attach his properties in a case of alleged abduction of a scientist of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission who 'disappeared' over five years ago.

Attiqur Rehamn has been missing since June 25, 2004, the day he was to be married. His family members suspect that he was picked up by an intelligence agency.

The judge, Abdul Mateen Khan, issued the order on an application filed by Siddiqur Rehman, the missing man's father, urging the court to take action against Gen Musharraf for his alleged involvement in his son's abduction.

Iqbal Khan, the petioner's lawyer, said that Mr Musharraf had not appeared in court or before police despite repeated notices.

He also provided a list of properties owned by Mr Musharraf, including 18 plots in various cities, calling for their attachment.

The court told the applicant's lawyer that if he was dissatisfied with steps taken by police, he could file a contempt application.

The FIR of the case was registered at the Abbottabad City Police Station on July 17, 2004, against 'unknown persons'.

Later, the applicant filed another application under Section 22-A of the Criminal Procedure Code, requesting the court to include Gen Musharraf as an accused in the case.

In May this year, the court had ordered the recording of the applicant's supplementary statement in which he could specifically charge any person who he thought was involved in the case.

Another application was filed when police did not take any action despite the inclusion of Gen Musharraf's name as an accused. It urged the court to direct police to take appropriate steps.

Local police informed the court that the accused was not available for investigation.