Musharraf treason case: No evidence of collaboration on emergency by army officers, cabinet, says witness

Shahid Khan says claim’s about consultation don't provide sufficient grounds to register case against army officials.

ISLAMABAD: On the third day of Federal Interior Secretary Shahid Khan’s cross examination in the high treason case against former president Pervez Musharraf, no evidence was found of  consultation between Musharraf, the Joint Chief of Staff, Corps Commander or Cabinet to impose emergency in the country on November 3, 2007.

The secretary exonerated judges—who took oath on November 3, 2007 to December 15, 2007 - and cabinet led by former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz from the charges of abetment, collaboration and role in the consultation process leading up to the decision to impose emergency.

Appearing before a three-judge special bench led by Justice Faisal Arab in the high treason case, Khan said that the inquiry report had nominated Musharraf as an accused so that the case could be registered against him only, adding that no evidence was found against any other army officer in the matter.

During Thursday’s proceedings, Musharraf’s defence counsel Farogh Nasim asked the interior secretary why statements of Sindh and Punjab governors were recorded only. Khan explained that there was no legal recommendation for recording the statements of the governors of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, adding that the requirements of the investigation were fulfilled after statements from the governors of Sindh and Punjab, adding that former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, his Cabinet and judges who took oath on PCO could not be considered as Musharraf’s accomplices.

Responding to another question of the defence counsel, the secretary interior said that the prosecution had contacted the ministry of defence to record statements of military officials including the army chief but could not succeed. He added that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has the authority to record statements of the army officials, however, the army has its own rules as well.

Khan further said that Musharraf claim’s about consultation for emergency with other officials does not provide sufficient grounds to register a case against other army official.

On the other hand, Khan said that the then cabinet secretary had stated the consultative process for emergency was not done through him, adding that after the statement of cabinet secretary there was no need to investigate any other officials.

Responding to another question from Naseem, Khan gave evidence that the joint investigation report was not a replica of the apex court decision in the matter however; he said that the investigation team just had referred to the Supreme Court decision in the report.

Later, hearing of the case was adjourned till July 2.