Rs20 million have been spent by
the government on its legal team in the treason case. PHOTO: AFP
The high treason trial of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has so far cost the national kitty a whopping Rs57.2 million, the budget documents reveal. However, the actual cost could be much more than this amount.
Over Rs57 million has been sought by the Interior Division and the Law, Justice and Human Rights Division for the establishment of the special court and miscellaneous expenses, the budget documents show.
According to the breakup, appropriations, expenditures incurred during the high treason trial, payment of fees and contingency and other expenses have cost the national exchequer Rs49.5 million. This amount has been spent by the Interior Division.
Additionally, the cost of renovating the National Library building, where the special court is trying Musharraf, comes in at around Rs7.7 million, according to the budget documents. This sum was sought as a supplementary grant by the Law, Justice and Human Rights Division.
Legal expenses incurred by the government in pursuit of the former president exceed Rs20 million. According to a reply submitted by the interior ministry in the National Assembly, the government’s 14-member legal team is divided into prosecution and constitutional teams. Some of the lawyers in the government’s legal team are part of both prosecution and constitutional wings, and as such get paid twice. Interestingly enough, lead prosecutor Akram Shaikh gets paid the lowest with Rs999. On the other hand, prosecution in-charge Nasiruddin Khan Nayyer receives the highest pay cheque of Rs10 million.
The costs mentioned in the budget documents do not include expenses incurred on security. According to sources, as many as 300 regular police personnel, including commandos and policewomen, and 100 Rangers have been deployed for Musharraf’s security since the treason case proceedings began.
Police sources added that Rs100,000 has been spent on each hearing of the treason case, regardless of whether the former president appears or not. In this way, they said, the cost of the trial exceeds Rs100 million. The expenses incurred on the three judges of the special court over the last five months have not been incorporated in the new budget as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2014.
COMMENTS (14)
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This costly NOORA KUSHTEE is no more required . Release him respectfully and arrest all the terrorists and their white coloured supporters .
Its quite amazing to see people responses criticizing the General (r) , Ex. President Pervez Mushraf for all expenses on his case,was he the one who asked for his own fake trial or was it call of current Govt. to pursue the case for ensuring no. one would put constitution in abeyance.
Its personally motivated political case some facts have already been revealed and rest will be soon.
If constitution is really a matter for the current Govt. they should also learn something them self for respecting autonomy of many organizations and let them exerciser their constitutional powers rather giving them orders through puppet Bureaucrats acting on their push/pulls...please learn or you will be history again and this time your blood will spoil the soil this great country.
@SAL: He will impose tax on the nation to recover. So please suggest any other idea!
Shift the trial to Musharraf's residence.
send the bill to NS.
A heavy price to pay to stroke the ego of the lion seeking revenge. Its only personal vendetta.
Almost the same amount which Nawaz will spend on a ten days foreign trip on tax payers money.
How about closing all the judicial system in all islamic countries so that they can save a lot money and Mushraf pervaz deserve all this treatment so do all leaders of islamic countries if Mushraf has some dignity left atleast he should oppologised pakistan people.
A lawyer with a black suit and brief case can steal more money than a thief. GODFATHER
...and the farce continues.
He stayed in USA for his "novel" at country's expense spending millions of dollars but then what's country's money's worth for generals who are more worthy than this country
Converting the National Library into a special court to try an innocent man speaks volumes of the attention given to education. Frankly, the existence of a national library in Islamabad was alien to me. However, the payment of PKR 10 million to the prosecution in-charge is on a monthly basis or till such time the bogus trial lasts? Salams
Musharraf didn't ask you to spend on him, he want to be an ordinary citizen and will arrange his own security.
However, it is better spending on a human, former army chief and president than buying 4 dogs for 24 lacs.
what will be the price Pakistani nation willing to pay for their freedon from future military dictators?