Judges’ detention case: Musharraf demands security, Dubai return guarantee
Former president says he has been advised not to travel
Former president says he has been advised not to travel. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Expressing a lack of trust in civilian security agencies, former president General (retired) Pervez Musharraf, standing trial in the judges’ detention case, has sought extraordinary security and ‘special treatment’ for appearing before an anti-terrorism court (ATC).
The judge, however, suggested that directions for security from the ministry may not be issued till the former president actually returns to Pakistan.
Musharraf seeks security as he plans return to Pakistan
In this regard, he submitted on Tuesday that security should be provided by Ministry of Defence – which oversees affairs of the armed forces of the country.
Hearing the case on his continued absence in the judges’ detention case, Musharraf – through his lawyer Akhtar Shah –on Tuesday once again expressed his intention to come back to the country and appear before the ATC, provided that certain conditions are fulfilled.
These conditions, he said, included the provision of security and permission to travel back to his temporary residence in Dubai after his appearance without being arrested.
Musharraf had requested the ATC to direct the concerned authorities to provide security for him to appear in court previously as well, however, this time he has specifically sought security from the defence ministry.
When Musharraf had first sought security for appearing before the court, ATC-II judge Sohail Ikram had on February 9 ordered the inspector general of police and the Interior Ministry secretary to make the necessary arrangements to provide security to the former president.
However, on Tuesday, the ATC judge remarked that he may issue instructions for security after Musharraf returns to Pakistan.
Submitting an application on behalf of Musharraf, Shah told the court that his client did not trust the interior ministry – which oversees all civilian security agencies in the country – which had removed his name from the Exit Control List in March 2016.
‘Red warrants’ may be issued for Pervez Musharraf
The application further sought an exemption from personal appearance till these security arrangements were made.
Moreover, while noting that Musharraf intended to appear before the court, Shah noted that his client faced serious security threats which had multiplied. He added that it was neither safe nor advisable for the former chief of army staff to appear in person.
Further, Shah told the court that Musharraf was under constant watch and treatment by doctors and had been advised not to travel till his health improves.
Meanwhile, Special Public Prosecutor Aamir Nadeem Tabish said that the Interior Ministry has time and again assured that security would be provided to Musharraf if he was ready to appear before the court.
He complained that at every hearing the former president submits a new application presenting some reason for not appearing before the court.
Being a fugitive from law, Tabish had maintained that Musharraf could neither seek any relief nor any lawyer could represent him unless the accused surrenders before the court.
On December 8, the ATC had directed police to initiate proclamation proceedings against Musharraf in the case over his prolonged non-appearance before the court. Non-bailable arrest warrants had already been issued for Musharraf in the case.
The court had subsequently granted 30-days to the former president to surrender. However, Musharraf’s counsel informed the court that his client was ready to appear before the court.
The judges’ detention case was registered by the Secretariat Police Station on Aug 11, 2009, seeking legal proceedings against the former military ruler for confining 60 judges of the superior courts for over five months at their homes and restraining them from administering justice.
The judges, including former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, were detained after the proclamation of a state of emergency in the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2017.
Expressing a lack of trust in civilian security agencies, former president General (retired) Pervez Musharraf, standing trial in the judges’ detention case, has sought extraordinary security and ‘special treatment’ for appearing before an anti-terrorism court (ATC).
The judge, however, suggested that directions for security from the ministry may not be issued till the former president actually returns to Pakistan.
Musharraf seeks security as he plans return to Pakistan
In this regard, he submitted on Tuesday that security should be provided by Ministry of Defence – which oversees affairs of the armed forces of the country.
Hearing the case on his continued absence in the judges’ detention case, Musharraf – through his lawyer Akhtar Shah –on Tuesday once again expressed his intention to come back to the country and appear before the ATC, provided that certain conditions are fulfilled.
These conditions, he said, included the provision of security and permission to travel back to his temporary residence in Dubai after his appearance without being arrested.
Musharraf had requested the ATC to direct the concerned authorities to provide security for him to appear in court previously as well, however, this time he has specifically sought security from the defence ministry.
When Musharraf had first sought security for appearing before the court, ATC-II judge Sohail Ikram had on February 9 ordered the inspector general of police and the Interior Ministry secretary to make the necessary arrangements to provide security to the former president.
However, on Tuesday, the ATC judge remarked that he may issue instructions for security after Musharraf returns to Pakistan.
Submitting an application on behalf of Musharraf, Shah told the court that his client did not trust the interior ministry – which oversees all civilian security agencies in the country – which had removed his name from the Exit Control List in March 2016.
‘Red warrants’ may be issued for Pervez Musharraf
The application further sought an exemption from personal appearance till these security arrangements were made.
Moreover, while noting that Musharraf intended to appear before the court, Shah noted that his client faced serious security threats which had multiplied. He added that it was neither safe nor advisable for the former chief of army staff to appear in person.
Further, Shah told the court that Musharraf was under constant watch and treatment by doctors and had been advised not to travel till his health improves.
Meanwhile, Special Public Prosecutor Aamir Nadeem Tabish said that the Interior Ministry has time and again assured that security would be provided to Musharraf if he was ready to appear before the court.
He complained that at every hearing the former president submits a new application presenting some reason for not appearing before the court.
Being a fugitive from law, Tabish had maintained that Musharraf could neither seek any relief nor any lawyer could represent him unless the accused surrenders before the court.
On December 8, the ATC had directed police to initiate proclamation proceedings against Musharraf in the case over his prolonged non-appearance before the court. Non-bailable arrest warrants had already been issued for Musharraf in the case.
The court had subsequently granted 30-days to the former president to surrender. However, Musharraf’s counsel informed the court that his client was ready to appear before the court.
The judges’ detention case was registered by the Secretariat Police Station on Aug 11, 2009, seeking legal proceedings against the former military ruler for confining 60 judges of the superior courts for over five months at their homes and restraining them from administering justice.
The judges, including former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, were detained after the proclamation of a state of emergency in the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2017.