ISLAMABAD: The caretaker government, in an apparent bid to shy away from lodging case against former military rule Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf, sought on Wednesday more time from the Supreme Court to determine whether lodging a treason case against the former military ruler ahead of elections would be appropriate.

In a written reply submitted by the Attorney General of Pakistan Irfan Qadir, on behalf of the Federal government before a two-member bench of the apex-court hearing the Musharraf treason case, the government said that it had yet to determine whether it would be proper to initiate proceedings in this case before the elections.

The government reply said that the foremost priority of the caretaker regime is to ensure free and fair elections.

"Whether lodging a case of high treason in the present circumstances would in any way adversely impact the impartiality as viewed by people of Pakistan in general and political parties in particular," the federation posed a question before the apex court in its reply.

The government also argued that since Ministry of Interior is preoccupied to provide security to thousands of candidates.

"Therefore it is requested that the case should be adjourned for a week as federation desired to determine whether it wants to lodge the case against Pervez Musharraf ahead of the upcoming elections."

The Court had earlier sought a reply on Monday from the government over whether the former military ruler be tried under Article 6 of the constitution or not.

Pervez Musharraf is currently facing treason proceedings in the Supreme Court for violating the constitution and putting judges of the superior judiciary in illegal confinement in November 2007 when he imposed emergency in the country.