Musharraf’s petition on removal of anti-terror clauses dismissed

Decision taken in view of non-pursuance of case by the former president

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday dismissed a petition of former president Pervez Musharraf seeking to remove the sections of Anti- Terrorism Act (ATA) in judges’ detention case due to non-pursuance of the case by him.A division bench comprising IHC's Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the petition of the former president and subsequently dismissed the plea.

Earlier, a single member bench of IHC had ordered to add the ATA sections in judges’ detention case against Musharraf.An anti-terrorism court (ATC) had already declared Pervez Musharraf proclaimed offender due to continuous non-appearance in the case.A case was registered against him for confining 60 judges of the superior courts for more than five months after imposition of emergency on November 3, 2007.



Fawad ChaudhryThe IHC Wednesday sought written reply from respondents in a petition challenging the eligibility of Federal Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain.IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petition filed by a television anchor against the eligibility of the minister alleging that he had not declared all his assets in the nomination papers submitted to Election Commission of Pakistan.

During the course of proceedings, Chaudhry said that the petitioner had conducted two programmes on him after the court accepted the case for hearing against him.

Justice Minallah remarked that a forum in parliament should be made to discuss the issue and such issues need not be brought to the courts.

The minister said he wanted to give arguments on the maintainability of the case and requested the bench to dispose of the petition after imposing a fine.The court sought written reply from the respondents and adjourned hearing for three weeks.