Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: FILE
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Friday rejected the request for discontinuing proceedings over a set of petitions for initiation of treason trial against former president Pervez Musharraf, as the federal government had already resolved to start an inquiry about proclamation of emergency in 2007.
Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, heading the bench, remarked that the court could not stop these proceedings and would not entertain the verbal request made by a lawyer representing former president Pervez Musharraf.
“Since the federal government had started an inquiry into the November 3, 2007 emergency, there is no reason in carrying on the proceedings in the Supreme Court as the petitioners only sought direction for initiating the trial,” argued advocate Qamar Afzal, adding that the apex court’s proceedings had already been prejudicing Musharraf’s stand.
Ignoring Afzal’s request, the bench observed that the petitions were being heard by the court and would be decided appropriately.
The bench however asked the lawyer, that if he wanted to file an objection over the federal government’s stance regarding the initiation of Musharraf’s trial, he should submit in writing.
“The court has not made up its mind, in either way, regarding the stance of the government and is open-minded towards what would be the final outcome of these proceedings,” observed Justice Khilji Arif Hussain.
Advocate Raja Muhammad Ibrahim Satti, another counsel for Musharraf, said that after the hearing on June 27, it seemed that the court had concluded the hearings and would issue its final findings.
However, Justice Khawaja replied that the court could not decide the petitions without hearing all sides, including the petitioners, respondents and the federation. The bench adjourned the hearing till July 3.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 29th, 2013.
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