Former president Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: AFP
A three-member bench - headed by Justice Faisal Arab - heard the case today.
During the hearing, Nasim reiterated his earlier request to get access to the FIA report. The prosecution had, however, said such request should not be granted as it was an attempt to complicate the case.
While speaking to the media outside the court, Nasim said that the former president had always argued that all his orders were issued on the advice of then prime minister and parliament. The lawyer said he wants all those documents to prove Musharraf did not act alone and that his moves were sanctioned by then lawmakers.
He claimed that prosecutor Akram Sheikh had himself said that the case against Musharraf was technically not about treason but taking unconstitutional steps. “Unconstitutional measures are wrong but invoking Article 6 in this case is equally incorrect,” Nasim added.
On March 31, Musharraf was formally charged for subverting and circumventing the Constitution by imposing emergency on November 3, 2007. Musharraf had rejected the charges levelled against him.
You can view the five charges levelled against him here.
COMMENTS (15)
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@army man: This is Nawaz Sharif's justice...this is what is going on.
the lucky billionaire will eventually be in one of his estates around the world as generals are above law in this poor country
The prosecution had, however, said such request should not be granted as it was an attempt to complicate the case.
hahaha!!! I am unable to understand what is going on!!!!
The prosecution accepted that it is not a treason case it is breaking of the constitution case. I want to ask ET why you are saying Treason Case.
In addition to what has been correctly demanded by the defense attorney, it is pertinent to mention & request all to see the Nov 4, 2007 clip of Dunya on youtube What PM Shaukat Azziz mentioned during the press conference...this will be enough for all to get convinced where he said " the decision to impose emergency was taken in consultation with all stakeholders & that the announcement of Nov 03, 2007 was in consequence of that decision ".....hence, it is proved beyond doubt that Gen M was not only responsible as being portrayed.....I do not understand why the defense is not submitting this clip....may be he has this already under his sleeve & will insha Allah submit it in an opportune time....insha Allah.
The formal charge on March 31 ' of treason is illegal ab initio.
Holding the Constitution in ABEYANCE' was not culpable till 2010 and definitely no law may be applied with retrospective effect Is the Tribunal blind ?
A copy of the report should be provided to the accused's lawyer,and it is the right of the accused. An area which calls for empowerment of the litigants.
Nawaz Sharif must know that he his tenure of premiership is now 4 years remaining and i think he should know that Musharraf will somehow survive all the hardships in his tenure, but i dont think he will be able to face Musharraf for even a week.
Musharraf will be back in Power after this period of Nawaz Sharif..
Nawaz Sharif is taking personal revenge from Musharraf just due to the majority of seats in national assembly this is why this is all happening with Musharraf and only and only wants to see Musharraf once in jail as Nawaz Sharif was sent to jail in 1999 by Musharraf.....
@immortal_soloist: "The only honest,patriotic and true leader...." . Honesty, could be just a solo song, it is the last thing that is regarded as important in politics. You don't even have to pretend to be honest. The bigger the lie....
Pervez Musharraf's lawyer Farogh Nasim made a perfectly reasonable demand when he asked for a copy of the report by the FIA, which forms the basis of the treason case. The prosecution's objection: that the demand from the defence of a copy of the report was an attempt to complicate the case, hardly stands on merit. Moreover, prosecution's only interest is to see Musharraf convicted and punished, as quickly as possible, even if that fell far short of meeting the basic requirements of justice.
Surely, justice would be done and seen to be done when all important details known to the prosecution are made available to defence as well, and important points discussed at length, and not by cutting corners with the excuse of avoiding complications. Surely, we don't want to follow in the footsteps of the military-sponsored Egyptian judiciary which recently sentenced 529 people to death in two sessions lasting less than two hours in total, after hearing only one witness: a police officer who could not be considered to be an independent witness anyway, and none from the defendants' side.
Karachi
@Aam Admi Bechara: "Aam Admi" is concerned with his daily bread - and only the daily bread. What kind of people are at the helms of affair - "Aam Admi" is not concerned with it. The fact that "Aam Admi" was much better off during Musharrafs time speaks volumes of its own !! So please spare the "Aam Admi" with the "Democracy vs Army" battle !!