Judges’ detention case: ATC might also declare Musharraf proclaimed offender

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday directed the police to initiate proclamation proceedings against former president General (retired) Pervez Musharraf in the judges’ detention case.

Non-bailable arrest warrants for Musharraf have already been issued by the bench and failure to appear may lead to his becoming a proclaimed offender.

ATC judge Sohail Ikram granted 30-day time to the former president to surrender when his counsel informed the court that his client was ready to appear before court.

“He respects all the courts and justice system of Pakistan. He wants to appear before the court if adequate security is provided to him,” Advocate Akhtar Shah claimed before the ATC.

To this, Special Public Prosecutor Aamir Nadeem Tabish said Musharraf submits new applications in almost every hearing to avoid appearing in person.

Meanwhile, the police submitted a report saying the suspect was not present at home and could not be arrested. Inspector Yasin Bhutta also recorded his statement before the court.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2016.