ECL removal: Musharraf approaches SC to adjourn appeal against SHC decision

Application for adjournment of case submitted as Musharraf's lawyer remains busy with treason case

ISLAMABAD: Pervez Musharraf has approached the Supreme Court to adjourn the appeal filed against the Sindh High Court's decision to remove the name of the former president from the Exit Control List (ECL).

A five-judge bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk is taking up the government's appeal on Wednesday.

In the meantime, the legal team has submitted a single-page application to the court requesting adjournment of the case as Musharraf's lawyer, Farogh Naseem, is busy appearing before a special court in the treason case.

“The matter before the trial court requires detailed preparation and in order to effectually assist this Honourable Court in the instant matter, more time is required by respondent No.1’s [Musharraf’s] Advocate Supreme Court  for preparation and research,” said Naseem.

Further, the application said, there is no cavil with the proposition that the court is to be given precedence, however, in view of the peculiar circumstances, the prayer for adjournment has been made in the interest of justice.

Earlier on Monday, the federal government submitted the records of cases pending against Musharraf in different courts. The office of the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) submitted records along with court orders in different cases, such as the Lal Masjid case, Benazir Bhutto murder case, and the judges’ detention case.

On June 23, the court suspended SHC’s judgement, and adjourned the hearing for four weeks which later did not take place. On July 25, the court rejected the former president’s plea for scheduling the hearing immediately after Eidul Fitr.