Musharraf’s appearance in court as it happened

Musharraf appeared before the court in the midst of high security, restless journalists and curious spectators.

ISLAMABAD: Foolproof security arrangements were made before the arrival of Former President (retd) General Pervez Musharraf. After 8 am security officials began to thoroughly check vehicles entering the red-zone.

By 9:30 am Musharraf’s cavalcade reached the court. The former president, dressed in a beige shalwar kameez with a dark blazer, set foot into the courtroom at 9:39 am to be precise. This is his second court appearance in the treason case against him.

A meticulous security sweep was conducted with the bomb disposal squad making thorough inspections. Special jammers were placed on the left and right side of the bench. The judges seats were also cleared and checked by the squad.

Spectators waited outside with bated breath as the news of Musharraf’s arrival outside the courtroom was declared. Journalists grew restless as they wanted to share the news with their respective TV channels but were not allowed to exit once the retired general had been seated.

Inside the courtroom, the usual witness box to the left of the bench had a lone chair for the accused.

Musharraf’s previous defence team had boycotted the legal proceedings so after his 24 minute address, when he returned to his seat, no one was there to acknowledge him.

Musharraf then proceeded to ask a female lawyer – while the court was still in session - how his address was.

“It was wonderful sir,” she replied, probably giving some sense of relief to the former president.

Farogh Naseem, Musharraf’s newly appointed lawyer who is also an MQM senator, entered the courtroom briefcase in hand and submitted his lawyer’s license to represent the former president in the treason case.

“Now I’m representing Musharraf and there will be no rowdy behavior in the courtroom anymore,” he stated.

Justice Faisal Arab, appreciating Naseem’s respect for the courtoom, said the behavior of the previous defence counsels with the judge was not done on the behest of the accused, it was their individual conduct.

State prosecutor Akram Sheikh also appreciated Naseem for bringing discipline back to the court. “You have a charming personality and are very professional,” Sheikh said to Naseem.

Major General (retd) Rashid Quraishi was also present in the court.

Immediately after the court retired at 11 am, Akram Sheikh had a brief chat with Musharraf assuring the former president that despite the allegations made by his previous legal time he was not biased.

“Rashid Quraishi was my classmate, didn’t he tell you?” Sheikh asked.

“Oh, that’s why you’re in the opposition?” Musharraf asked. “I’m not against you sir,” Sheikh clarified.

Naseem requested the court that the respondent not be arrested and to remove his name from the Exit Control List so that the former president could travel abroad to attend to his ailing mother.

Justice Arab said Musharraf is a free man who will not be arrested. “He (Musharraf) opted to go to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) himself.”

Naseem asked the court to give him time to prepare and produce documents in the accused’s favour to which Justice Arab responded

“We will accommodate you while sparing room in the order. Today we will only read out the charges to the accused.” Following this, Justice Tahira Safdar proceeded to read out the charges.

“Today, I’m the happiest person” said prosecutor Akram Sheikh in the open court after Musharraf's indictment.

“The judges and the prosecutor are very happy that the mission has fully been accomplished,” another lawyer said.

“How can I be declared as ghaddar? I fought two wars and was awarded for gallantry during the 1965 war,” Musharraf stated.

Musharraf complained that the term ghaddari  is not an appropriate translation of the English term high treason.

“I think the English word high treason is appropriate to some extent,” he said. The state prosecutor agreed with Musharraf and said it was more a case of the transgression of constitutional limits. Sheikh said it is the responsibility of the ‘ahl-e-zuban’ to define English terminology into the Urdu language properly, Musharraf being one of them.

Musharraf said the real ghaddar are those who create hindrances in the country’s socio-economic development and those who looted the national exchequer.

Addressing Justice Tahira he said, “Ma’am, you are from Quetta and you launched a record of development work in the province of Balochistan. I can challenge everyone regarding the amount of funds I put into Balochistan compared to Punjab.”

He continued to list the amount of development he had put into the province, but Justice Tahira was busy going through her files.

“I can speak for an hour today after coming to the court against the advice of my doctors at AFIC. There is no issue of my ego being involved, I am here on my own risk and have appeared before the court 16 times in one year,” Musharraf said. “However, over the last year, I have been forced to think about whether or not this is the only crime which needs to be fought for the survival of this country.”

He also confessed that the decision to impose the emergency rule on November 3, 2007 was not one that was taken alone. It was taken based on the advice of the then prime minister and the federal cabinet with all relevant stakeholders being a part of the decision making process.

Musharraf also stated that Kargil was evidence of his bravery and loyalty.

After spending one hour and 20 minutes in the courtroom, the former president left the courtroom at 11:05 am.