Musharraf case: Special Court reserves decision on appointment of prosecutor

Prosecution, defence conclude arguments over Akram Sheikh's appointment.

ISLAMABAD: The three-judge Special Court led by Justice Faisal Arab reserved its decision on the appointment of prosecutor Akram Sheikh in the high treason case against General (retd) Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday.

Musharraf’s lawyer Anwar Mansoor said that the notification of the prosecutor was issued by the Law Ministry in violation of legal norms.

He also presented statements made by Sheikh in which he had expressed his view about the Musharraf case on television talk shows.

Mansoor alleges the prosecutor is biased and added that Sheikh has not only claimed that the trial can be concluded in 10 to 15 days but also that Musharraf could face the death penalty. The lawyer also asked why acquittal had been ruled out as one of the options.

In his argument Akram Sheikh said that he had conducted more than 300 murder trials in his career and that as a professional lawyer he believes that the trial could be concluded in minimal time.

He added that the defence team threatened him of dire consequences and also abusing him publicly.

The court will resume hearing tomorrow to hear the defence team’s application for a fair trial.