Benazir Bhutto murder case: SC refuses ‘special favours’ for Pervez Musharraf
CJ says Musharraf ‘should appear before the court today and surrender first’.
ISLAMABAD:
In the Benazir Bhutto assassination case, the apex court has refused to extend any favour to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
The Federal Investigation Agency prosecutor, Azhar Chaudhry, submitted before a three-judge bench that an anti-terrorism court of Rawalpindi has issued arrest warrants against Musharraf and declared him a proclaimed offender.
The bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, observed that Musharraf has lost his right to be heard until he returns to Pakistan and surrender before the law.
“If a court declares you a fugitive, you are no longer entitled to discretionary treatment,” said Justice Chaudhry.
Pakistan’s interior ministry has formally requested the France-based Interpol Secretariat for the issuance of ‘red warrants’ against Musharraf seeking his arrest and subsequent extradition to Pakistan.
Shehryar, who had filed a statement on behalf of Musharraf on last hearing, appeared before the court and sought time to convey the court’s concern to the former president.
He also informed the court that he was not an attorney for Musharraf nor the former military ruler had authorised him to plead his case.
Justice Chaudhry observed that instead of seeking time for an appearance, “(Musharraf) should appear before the court today and surrender first.”
In its written order the court mentioned that “he (Musharraf) has opted not to appear before the court according to law.”
Furthermore, Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s lawyer sought additional time from the court to file a reply regarding the registration of a second FIR in the Benazir Bhutto murder case.
Raja Amir Abbas, the counsel for Malik, said the interior minister was engaged in official duties, adding that allegations against Malik needed to be rebutted.
The chief justice observed that the court would restrict itself and leave the probe of allegations to an investigation agency. “We will not prejudice ourselves; at this stage everyone is respectable for us,” the court observed.
Justice Khilji Arif Hussain asked Malik’s counsel to avoid any delays to ensure that the court is not held responsible for the delay. The case was adjourned till April 16.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 10th, 2012.
In the Benazir Bhutto assassination case, the apex court has refused to extend any favour to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
The Federal Investigation Agency prosecutor, Azhar Chaudhry, submitted before a three-judge bench that an anti-terrorism court of Rawalpindi has issued arrest warrants against Musharraf and declared him a proclaimed offender.
The bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, observed that Musharraf has lost his right to be heard until he returns to Pakistan and surrender before the law.
“If a court declares you a fugitive, you are no longer entitled to discretionary treatment,” said Justice Chaudhry.
Pakistan’s interior ministry has formally requested the France-based Interpol Secretariat for the issuance of ‘red warrants’ against Musharraf seeking his arrest and subsequent extradition to Pakistan.
Shehryar, who had filed a statement on behalf of Musharraf on last hearing, appeared before the court and sought time to convey the court’s concern to the former president.
He also informed the court that he was not an attorney for Musharraf nor the former military ruler had authorised him to plead his case.
Justice Chaudhry observed that instead of seeking time for an appearance, “(Musharraf) should appear before the court today and surrender first.”
In its written order the court mentioned that “he (Musharraf) has opted not to appear before the court according to law.”
Furthermore, Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s lawyer sought additional time from the court to file a reply regarding the registration of a second FIR in the Benazir Bhutto murder case.
Raja Amir Abbas, the counsel for Malik, said the interior minister was engaged in official duties, adding that allegations against Malik needed to be rebutted.
The chief justice observed that the court would restrict itself and leave the probe of allegations to an investigation agency. “We will not prejudice ourselves; at this stage everyone is respectable for us,” the court observed.
Justice Khilji Arif Hussain asked Malik’s counsel to avoid any delays to ensure that the court is not held responsible for the delay. The case was adjourned till April 16.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 10th, 2012.