Benazir murder case: Court rejects bank’s plea to reopen Musharraf’s account
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday dismissed a bank’s plea seeking permission to reopen the bank account of former president Pervez Musharraf after it was seized in connection with the Benazir Bhutto murder case.
Special Judge ATC-I Chaudhry Habibur Rehman dismissed the plea of Habib Bank Limited in Islamabad asking for reopening of the attached account claiming it to be a trust account.
The trial judge, while disposing of the plea, said the bank had no legal standing to request detachment of the account as only the affected persons could approach the court.
The bank through its branch manager had asked for reopening the account containing over Rs60 million, calling it a trust account that had money which was supposed to be used for the welfare of needy people.
The account was seized after the former president, an accused in the case of Benazir Bhutto’s murder, was declared a proclaimed offender and his properties were attached by the court.
A special public prosecutor from the Federal Investigation Agency had contended before the court that the account was the personal account of Musharraf and it was never used for welfare purpose.
Secondly, the bank had no legal standing to urge for reopening the account as they were not affected by the court order.
Thirdly, a proclaimed offender can only personally claim legal relief after getting bail from the court or surrendering himself before law enforcers.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 26th, 2012.
COMMENTS (15)
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@Karim:
agree...most of it is political animosity. i am fully prepared to see it reach a crescendo in the next few months as he makes an announcement to return to pakistan. alll the jahil mullahs and their supporters in the PML-N and like minded parties will be attacking him. the difference is this time he will be giving answers back. no more free hits.
@Mirza:
and what wrong thing has he said? you dont think that iran having a nuclear bomb is a bigger invitation to israels wrath than simply giving it up. he is entitled to his opinion. he has always maintained that iran's nuclear program was not needed, given it has no direct threat to its existence. israel could never destroy iran, whereas pakistan and india have had 3 wars and have a history. this is the context he bases his analysis on. to imply that he is siding with israel is stupid and wrong. he has never sided with isreal. he has only stated that iran shouldnt be acquiring nuclear weapons. and most people in the world would agree.
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks:
president musharraf has stated publicly several times that when he returns to pakistan inshallah later this year he will reveal his earnings and what amount of taxes he has paid. stop smearing him in the interim. unless you're politically motivated, in which case you should just state that.
@Pakistani Hindu: That money was deposited before he went on to the lecture circuit and if did this lecturing while President then the money belong to the Pakistan Treasury. One should also look into whether he paid any income tax on this amount. Now it is coming to the light that how corrupt even the Military Generals are beside the politicians, businessmen and bureaucracy. What a country?
Point worth noting is that what interest the bank manager had in getting the account re-opened? Someone should take disciplinary action against this bank manager.
@khan donated by several people and his friends to Pervez Musharraf Foundation to help the Pakistanis suffered by flood.
what is his role in BB's murder - order washing of incident so that it does not turn into holy shrine, asked her not to come to Pak and "keep honouring" her deal with him made in UAE??? who is real benefiter monetary or political wise? Just donot blame everything on his even if he is involved. His team ie Gen Kayani, Interior Minister, Secy, IG Police are still here....interrogate them before accusing him
Doesnt it say it's a trust account. He must be earning as well as getting donations. Great way to avoid incidence of taxation
Why does he not come back to Pakistan Funny it as it may sound both the President of Pakistan (who ruled for 8 years) and the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz (who ruled for about 4 years) are out of Pakistan and have not returned since they left 4 years ago.
Is this what the Nation deserve that rules rule and loot and leave the country never to return?
@Khan: He's one of the most expensive lecturers in the world. http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2008/08/22/musharraf-in-the-money.html
Only a couple of hours ago in an interview at CNN, Gen Mush has sided with Israel against Iran and its nuclear program. He said Iran has no threat from Israel and from any other country as they do not have common borders and there is no reason for Iran to develop nuclear power. In my humble opinion it appears that Mush is again hoping that GOP/Republicans come into power and he can go back to Pakistan with their help and approval. In this interview he repeated his charge that Obama is "arrogant". Looks like Obama administration has again refused to back him up.
Check the Level of Personal Animosity with Pervaiz Musharaf!
Where did he get this money, not from his salary as a general