Application filed: Pervez seeks exemption from court appearance

Former premier seeks exemption under sections 540-A and 205 of the CrPC as he was facing security threats.

LAHORE: In his application to a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court on Wednesday, former prime minster Raja Pervez Ashraf has requested exemption from a personal appearance in court.

Pervez appeared before a NAB court where the judge was on leave. However, the former premier, through his counsel Advocate Iftikhar Shahid, submitted an application for exemption from personal appearance under sections 540-A and 205 of the CrPC as he was facing security threats. He said refusal of granting him exemption from his personal appearance would defeat the very purpose for which the provisions 540-A and 205 of the CrPC were enacted.

The counsel maintained in the application that it was interpreted in many judgments of the superior courts that exemption could be granted in a manner to advance the cause of justice by making it workable and practicable.

According to the provisions, if the judge was satisfied for reason to be recorded, any one or more of accused who were incapable of remaining before the court, could be given exemption from personal appearance and the trial would proceed without their absence.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2017.