In this picture taken on February 13, 2006, Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf waves to the crowd during the third One Day International cricket match between Pakistan and India at The Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore. PHOTO: AFP
While announcing the order, the court said if Musharraf fails to appear before the bench, appropriate order will be issued.
The decision was taken after careful review of Musharraf’s medical report. The bench said no written request for exemption was received from Musharraf's counsel.
Musharraf was accused of treason under Article 6 for suspending, subverting and abrogating the Constitution, imposing an emergency in the country in November 2007 and detaining judges of the superior courts. The 70-year-old had fallen ill and taken to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi on January 2 as he was being transported under heavy guard to the court.
Prosecutor Akram Sheikh earlier today requested the court to summon Musharraf to attend case hearings.
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Sheikh said Musharraf’s medical report does not mention any condition that should become a reason to skip hearings.
He pointed out that the former military chief has not undergone angiography since he was admitted to the hospital and that proves his condition was not serious.
“The hospital will of course not expel its patient; it is Musharraf’s prerogative whether to check out or not,” he said, implying that the former president was using the hospital as a place to hide and avoid court hearings.
The prosecutor also said that Pakistan has many good medical centres and there was no need to send Musharraf abroad for treatment.
Applauding former president Asif Ali Zardari for appearing before the court to hear charges against him, Sheikh said it was sad to see a former head of the reputed army to run away from trial.
Rejecting these claims, Musharraf’s advocate Ahmed Raza Kasuri said the former president needed more time to rest and recover. He stressed that Musharraf’s health condition was serious.
Kasuri further criticised the media access to Musharraf’s medical report and called it a privacy breach.
The advocate said his side will request the court to exempt the former president from court hearings until he completely recovers.
COMMENTS (21)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
How come a military general with no wealth retires with portfolio of 2.5 billion rupees?
@ Dr.A.K.Tewari Musharraf might have the backing of a few rogue officers (who have been planting undetonated bombs every time he was scheduled for Court appearance). But it can NEVER be claimed that he has the backing of Army, as a great institution & defender of Pakistan.
On 6th January 2014, the COAS visited AFIRM but he did NOT meet Pervez Musharraf admitted in AFIC.
Entire army is defamed and demoralized because of this Pervez Musharaf and his dramas of bomb implants & sudden illness.
Musharraf’s future is a litmus test for all the Pakistanis across the world. If he succeeds in running away safe and sound, then this whole democracy, independent judiciary, active media & well-aware civil society are simply fake bhashans for us!
If so, it will be once again proven that Civilian Rule neither was nor is independent of military dictates and unfortunately Pakistan can never enter the league of civilized nations. In that case, we Pakistanis will never be able to raise our heads in front of the global community!
@Dr.A.K.Tewari: Doctor! Work on your spellings than making off-hand statements.
@sabi: and Mubarak as well
@Dr.A.K.Tewari: Rest assured army will never do it.
It is Ironic, that this son of Pakistan who spent ALL his life in service of his country is being treated in such a despicable manner while those who are real traitors and thieves are in continuing to damage the people and the country.
Billions of £/$ stolen by PPP and PML-N, both their governments did more damage to Pakistan than any enemy could have done!!! The so called Feudal/Pirs are destroying the country minute by minute. People of Pakistan should wake up and take control of their destiny before it is too late.
Dont worry you all rumors. Musharraf came here to face the fake cases and defend his country against corrupt politicians. Love you boss Musharraf. Pakistan zindabad
Public has no trust on any Pakistani court. They are as corrupted as Pakistani society.
Be a man, Commando. Face the trial.
Persecuter and Kangroo trial.
@Pakistani: well nawaz sharif was dragged, humiliated and imprisoned in worst of conditions, bhutto hanged and brave commando...???
Musharraf's Pakistan First' is right. He followed that in letter and spirit .PMLN believes in 'self first' and they strictly that.
@Kamran Khan: ...and 'poor' politicians!!!
This time army will enter in the supreem court to ensure protection to musarraf
Sir Musharraf zinadabad.
billionaire generals r above the law in this country. nothing will happen
General Pinochet of Chile was made to appear before court on wheel chair.His health conditions were far more serious.
PML N is making mockery of state institution and their heads. It must be stopped forthwith. Both the political parties PML N and PPP must also be tried under the same article. BTW PPP should not forget the recent memo case and N league will also find no way to run in alot of other cases.