Musharraf is still indecisive about filing a petition in the Supreme Court or Sindh High Court. PHOTO: INP
After moving back to his Chak Shahzad farmhouse, former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf began consulting his legal team to adopt a future strategy after the federal government’s said it was ‘unable’ to remove his name from the Exit Control List.
Musharraf met only with his lawyers on Thursday, while his party workers are still not allowed to see him, officials revealed to The Express Tribune.
The former general is still under observation and a cardiologist will come to his farmhouse for a regular check-up.
“He met Anwar Mansoor Khan Thursday night and he would meet another senior lawyer of his team Dr Khalid Ranjha Friday morning to discuss the future strategy about his case,” one official told The Express Tribune. Dr Ranjha is an expert in criminal law, therefore, he would be leading the team during the trial at least in the initial plan.
Musharraf’s lawyers are reportedly unhappy with his appearance before the special court on March 31 as well as his ensuing indictment. They believe that their client has been trapped by the government, claim officials. They also regret the fact that Musharraf did not seek their advice regarding his appearance before the special bench.
“You see, we have saved him from indictment for at least four more months. Now we will find out ways to save him from conviction,” said one of his lawyers.
Musharraf is still indecisive about filing a petition in the Supreme Court or Sindh High Court, seeking the removal of his name from ECL. His lawyers are also mulling over their next step.
One lawyer Chaudhry Faisal Hussain has obtained a certified copy of the Supreme Court’s April 4, 2013 order wherein the secretary interior was directed to ensure that if Musharraf’s name is not already on the ECL, “this shall be done forthwith and the Federation and all its functionaries shall also ensure that the respondent does not move out of the jurisdiction of Pakistan until this order is varied/modified”.
Hussain said the interior ministry’s order – in which they claim to be “unable to accede to his request” of removing his name from the ECL “on the basis of record pronouncements of the superior courts” – is a political one. It does not reflect under which law Musharraf’s movement has been restricted. “We have several options to challenge the interior ministry’s decision and we will decide very soon.”
Renowned lawyer Ali Zafar suggested that instead of filing a petition in the top court, Musharraf should approach the Islamabad High Court.
Petition filed in SC
A pro-Musharraf lawyer moved a petition in the Supreme Court on Thursday, requesting to remove his name from ECL. He should be allowed to visit Dubai to see his ailing mother in the interest of justice, the petitioner, advocate Shah Jahan, submitted. But the lawyer is not associated with the former general’s legal team.
Information minister rebuffs COAS involvement
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid denied media reports that the government’s decision to reject Musharraf’s application was taken after consulting Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the minister said Musharraf’s case is pursued by his legal aides and is sub judice. As such any leading or conclusive public pronouncement or pre-judgment is in violation of legal norms.
Some statements and interviews appearing in the media in this context are unwarranted and unnecessary, Rashid maintained.
The government firmly believes that the Armed Forces of Pakistan are a national institution and its dignity cannot be compromised in any manner whatsoever.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 4th, 2014.
COMMENTS (4)
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Can't help but laugh at the state of the gov't. On the one hand they keep talking how Musharraf has no political party and standing, yet they have to consult for 3 days whether to let him go, and then make a political decision not to. If he has no political standing then what "political consequences" are they afraid of? Fact is they are afraid of his political standing if he goes free, otherwise they would not go to such lengths to keep him away. They will eventually fail.
@unbelievable:
Thats right, NS is abusing his power. The sentence held in Abeyance was later put in the article 6 in 2009. If that is the case then Mr. Musharraf has not broken the constitution. All the institution was working and the emergency was lasted only 45 days. This is all the vendetta of NS to troublle the general. The court said he is free to go anywhere but interior ministry restricts his movements. They have to be accounted for when they are not in power.
Here's a novel idea ... start the trial ... present the evidence ... and determine whether he's guilty or innocent. Enough with the drama.