Musharraf treason trial: Hearing adjourned until tomorrow

Published January 8, 2014
A Pakistani security personnel searches a journalist before he enters a special court set up to try former Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad on January 7, 2014. — Photo by AFP
A Pakistani security personnel searches a journalist before he enters a special court set up to try former Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad on January 7, 2014. — Photo by AFP

ISLAMABAD: The hearing of the treason trial against former military dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf was adjourned on Wednesday until Jan 9 while the bench hearing the case reserved its ruling over the application of criminal laws on the case until Jan 10, DawnNews reported.

A three-member bench led by Justice Faisal Arab resumed the hearing earlier on Wednesday amid a scuffle between media persons and security personnel at the entrance of special court established in the federal capital.

During the hearing, head of the prosecuting team, Advocate Akram Sheikh, presented his arguments before the court in which he stated that the Supreme Court of Pakistan had already issued a ruling according to which all crimes under the Army Act fell within the domain of Pakistan's penal code. He added that the special court enjoyed all the powers of a High Court.

The bench adjourned the hearing until Jan 9 while also reserving its judgment over the application of criminal laws on the case.

Earlier on Tuesday, a three member-bench of the special court led by Justice Faisal Arab had granted a two-days exemption to the former president from attending the hearing of the 'high treason' case after submission of Musharraf's medical reports.

Musharraf was rushed to a military hospital in Rawalpindi on Jan 3 after he suddenly developed a 'heart complication' while en route to attend the hearing of the case.

The former military strongman had also missed two earlier hearings in his case because of bomb threats, and there has been rampant speculation in the media that he would be evacuated from the country under medical pretense.

Former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf is being prosecuted under Article 6 of the Constitution for imposing an emergency in the country on Nov 3, 2007 and for detaining members of the superior judiciary.

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