Ahmed Raza Kasuri, one of the lawyers of Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, (C) joins supporters in prayer outside the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi on January 3, 2014, where Musharraf is being treated. PHOTO: AFP
The medical reports will be submitted by the defence panel of the former president which will also request the tribunal to adjourn the trial indefinitely, reliable sources told Daily Express. Musharraf is unlikely to appear before the tribunal at the next hearing.
One of Musharraf’s lawyers, Ahmed Raza Kasuri, said on Friday that the seven-member medical board will decide whether his client should go abroad or stay at the AFIC for treatment.
Musharraf was taken ill and rushed to the AFIC on Thursday as he was being driven under heavy guard to a three-judge special court to hear treason charges against him.
He spent a second day at the military hospital on Friday and Kasuri told reporters he was in a stable condition. “He is under stress, he is under pressure, but it is natural,” Kasuri said, adding that Musharraf had felt humiliated by his treatment.
A source said that the medical board would make a recommendation after consulting foreign cardiologists via a video link over Musharraf’s condition.
The board is headed by AFIC Commandant Imran Majeed and includes former commandant and current head of the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, Gen (retd) Azhar Kiyani.
Musharraf has so far undergone various tests, according to the source, but no one apart from the board is aware of the results. The former president is being kept in the AFIC’s Coronary Care Unit No 2, where no one is allowed.
No statement on Musharraf’s condition has so far been made by any of the members of the medical board or the army’s public relations wing. Despite numerous attempts, Gen (retd) Kiyani could not be reached for comments.
Reportedly, members of the board and AFIC staff are under strict directions to avoid contact with the media on the matter.
Meanwhile, talking about the possibility of Musharraf going abroad for medical treatment, Kasuri said: “Doctors’ opinion will be final and the court is bound to follow it.”
He said the former president’s legal team expected to receive a report on his condition before the next court hearing on Monday. “No one can challenge the doctors’ report – if the doctors advise to take him abroad for treatment then the doctors’ opinion will be carried out,” he said.
Musharraf’s sudden health scare was met with scepticism from some observers and feverish media speculation that his departure from Pakistan on medical grounds could be imminent.
There have been rumours for months that he would be spirited out of the country before facing the courts for treason, to head off a potentially destabilising clash between the government and the military.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2014.
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Incontrovertible Evidence of Army's Complicity in Musharrafs Escape ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This has been pointed out in Najam Sethi's Apask ki Baat of 3rd Jan. The 45 minute detour to AFIC was expecting Musharraf...it was protected all along by a huge contingent of the Army and the Elite troops. If the 'heart attack' was sudden how come the alternate route was so extensively protected?
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks: You must have a magic eye to conclude that 'security services' planted the explosives. Perhaps you were present there??
Kasuri said: “Doctors’ opinion will be final and the court is bound to follow it.” No, courts don't have to be dictated by some army doctors who are doctoring the report, Which team of doctors he is talking about, the court should decide the team of doctors and then they should run some tests on him, Pakistan does have some very competent cardiologists and they could verify whether a hoax have been planed and executed by these crooked lawyers and some factions in the Army. Let us not forget that they try to plant explosives and gave Pakistan security services a bad name around the world because the world thought what kind of security Pakistan has in it's Capital where explosives are being planted right and left. It was handy work of some security people who don't care for the country's constitution and laws, all they want to see this coward go scot free.
The Country is being prepared for the flight of the commando ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A play in 3 acts...leading lights the Army and the doctors of the AFCI.
“Doctors’ opinion will be final and the court is bound to follow it.” ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Lol Lol Lol Lol Lol ...........................
"Kasuri said: “Doctors’ opinion will be final and the court is bound to follow it.”". Oh Cmon, Mr. Kasuri. Don't expect others to be so naive. The court can order its own medical board if it so feels that the integrity of the medical reports are in doubt. It can even request medical experts from outside of Pakistan. So don't be so smug about this little drama that is being played out.