Special court declares Musharraf proclaimed offender in treason case

Three-judge bench of SC adjourns case till July 12

ISLAMABAD: A special court in Islamabad on Wednesday declared former president Pervez Musharraf as proclaimed offender (PO) in the high treason case.

A three-judge bench headed by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel, while declaring Musharraf as proclaimed offender directed the interior ministry and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to advertise the court verdict.



During the hearing, FIA officials informed the special court that notices were served at Musharraf's residence in Islamabad, as well as in Karachi. However, they were told that Musharraf does not reside there.

Officials of the investigation agency further told the bench that the former president left the country on March 18.

Directing prosecution to submit details of Musharraf's property, court adjourned the case till July 12, stating that the court will continue the case in absentia.

Earlier, the government had signaled its willingness to issue a ‘red warrant’ for Musharraf and bring him back to Pakistan to  record his statement under Section 342 of the CrPC in a treason case.



On the direction of the Special Court, the chief prosecutor in the case, Akram Sheikh, on Saturday submitted a statement, indicating the issuance of a ‘red warrant’ for Musharraf to ensure his presence in the treason case.

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As an alternative, the statement also suggested the recording of Musharraf’s statement through video link/Skype in the interest of justice under section 342.

He also asked all parties concerned to file their statements in this regard.

The prosecutor in his statement, filed on December 25 last year, said that he had written to the then secretary for the interior ministry to place Musharraf’s name on the ECL. According to him, the FIA’s investigation team had submitted its challan on November 16, 2013.



“The inquiry team apprehended that due to lack of evidence in support of his defence, General Musharraf may attempt to leave the country. Hence, an inquiry team promptly moved the interior ministry to place his name on the ECL.”

The statement said that the prosecution team kept on regularly informing the federal government, which is complainant in the case, adding that an interior ministry official was present on all dates, including March 8 this year when the Special Court summoned Musharraf for recording his statement.