Treason case: Musharraf declared proclaimed offender

Directs FIA to present ex-military ruler before the court within a month

ISLAMABAD: The special court hearing the high treason case against Pervez Musharraf declared the former military ruler a proclaimed offender on Wednesday.

The three-member bench, comprising Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Minakhel, Justice Syeda Tahira Safdar and Justice Mohammad Yawar Ali, issued the proclamation and directed the prosecutor to advertise it in through newspapers and posters pasted outside the residences of the accused and other prominent places. The bench also directed the FIA to produce Musharraf before the court within a month.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, FIA officials informed the 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.

The special court also sought from the prosecution details of the moveable and immovable properties owned by Musharraf till July 12. The court may attach properties of Musharraf in case of his continuous absence in treason case.

This is not the first time the former military ruler has been declared a proclaimed offender. His proclamation was issued in Benazir Bhutto murder case, the Akbar Bugti murder case and the judges detention case prior to his return to Pakistan in March 2013.

In the Benazir case, when the anti-terrorism court began the process of attaching Musharraf’s properties, his wife filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) claiming ownership of the Chak Shahzad farmhouse. The court issued a stay order in this matter and the case is still pending for adjudication.

Earlier on April 20, the special court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Musharraf. He left the country on March 18, soon after the SC upheld SHC’s directives for removing his name from the ECL.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2016.