Musharraf demands military security detail to return, appear in ATC

Accused under constant medical surveillance and has been advised not to travel, says Musharraf's counsel

ISLAMABAD: Former military dictator Pervez Musharraf, who is an accused in the judges' detention case, has sought "exceptional security" as well as special treatment if he is to appear before an anti-terrorism court (ATC).

Musharraf demanded that the Ministry of Defense be responsible for providing him security while expressing a lack of trust in civilian security agencies.

Every civilian security agency comes under the umbrella of the Ministry of Interior, whereas the defence ministry oversees the armed forces.

The former president claimed he would return to the country to appear before the ATC.

He, however, insisted on placing certain conditions, which include foolproof security as well as permission to travel back to his home in Dubai without being arrested.

Earlier, he had made the request before the court to direct the authorities to provide foolproof security.

In contrast, he has now sought security specifically from the defence ministry.



Previously ATC-II judge Sohail Ikram directed the inspector general of Police and the interior secretary to arrange the provision of foolproof security for Musharraf in order to ensure his presence in the court on February 9.

This time around, the ATC judge remarked that he might issue instructions for security after Musharraf returns to the country.

Details of a possible return surfaced on Tuesday when Musharraf's counsel, Akhtar Shah, submitted an application with the aforementioned demands.

The counsel told the court that his client had no trust in the interior ministry – which removed his name from the Exit Control List in March 2016.

Furthermore, the application has sought exemption from personal appearance till arrangements are made.

Shah said that the petitioner would appear in court if adequate arrangements would be made in this regard.

Expressing concerns over the security situation in the country, Shah stated that serious security threats have increased manifolds.

Shah said it is not 'safe' neither 'advisable' for the accused to return as Musharraf is under constant medical surveillance and therefore has been advised not to travel.

The Special Public Prosecutor Aamir Nadeem Tabish said that the Ministry of Interior has repeatedly submitted that security would be provided to the accused if he was willing to appear before the court.

Tabish said that Musharraf submits a new application at almost every hearing and has not been appearing before the court for one reason or another.

Tabish had maintained that Musharraf could neither seek any relief nor any lawyer could represent him unless the accused surrenders before the court as he is a fugitive from the law.



On December 8, the ATC directed the police to initiate proclamation proceedings against Musharraf in the case over his continued failure to appear before the court.

Non-bailable warrants have already been issued for the former dictator.

On December 8, the court had granted a 30-day time frame to the former president to surrender.

The judges’ detention case was registered by the Secretariat police on August 11, 2009.

The case sought legal proceedings against the former military ruler for placing 60 superior court judges under house arrest for over five months.

They were detained after the proclamation of a state of emergency in the country.