Special court to announce verdict on Musharraf’s petitions on Friday

ISLAMABAD: The special court trying former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf in high treason case, Wednesday announced that it would announce verdict in three petitions of defence counsel regarding competence of the court to initiate proceedings, its formation and alleged bias of judges.

The three-member special court resumed hearing of the treason case.

During the course of proceedings, head of prosecution team, Akram Sheikh sought permisssion for offering Fateha for judges, lawyers and other people, who had become victim of Islamabad district courts' terrorist attack. Fateha was offered on the court's permission.

Defence counsel Anwar Mansoor Khan informed the court that after the terrorist attack, Pervaiz Musharraf and his lawyers were feeling insecure to appear in the court.

Then Ahmed Raza Kasuri, another consel for Musharraf, informed the court that he had received a letter from Taliban to desist himself, Anwar Mansoor Khan and Sharifuddin Pirzada from pursuing the case.

He said they would file two applications seeking sine die (indefinitely) adjournment of case on ground of deteriorated security situation.

Rana Ijaz Ahmed Khan despite being stopped by the court, alleged that the terrorists had planned to kill all three judges, the head of prosecution and two of the defence lawyers.

Akram Sheikh said the terrorist threat should not be glorified to subjugate and surrender the judges and lawyers commitment to perform their obligation of administration of justice.

He said that he would ensure that the terrorists were defeated by continuing the proceedings.

He was asked by the court to take instructions from his client with regard to security measures after the unfortunate episode of Monday.

Justice Faisal Arab observed that whether there was any threat or not, they were under obligation as judges of high court and bound by the oath to continue acting without fear or favour. They could not pack up files and adjourn the case indefinitely, he added.

He said they were willing to adjourn for today and would announce an order on the objections raised by the defence lawyers.