“I’m happy with the progress of the case so far,” Sheikh said. “It was not easy to pursue such a controversial case but I decided to take this responsibility after getting solid assurance from the prime minister."
However, he further stated that this case is also financially damaging for him, as clients are not willing to hire him owing to this case.
“Federal Bureau of Revenue has initiated an inquiry against me for lower income this month than previous year,” Sheikh said.
According to Sheikh, this is a case of discrimination as Musharraf has been singled out for declaring emergency on November 3, 2007 but he added that the “abettors” can only be tried when someone comes forward and confesses his role as an abettor.
Sheikh further added that he has had a long history of strong family ties with the premier.
The prosecutor in the case is optimistic to conclude prosecution work soon.
Sheikh said that it is now up to defence team how long they want to linger on with the case, but from his side, work is almost complete.
A member of defence team told The Express Tribune that they will definitely drag the trial because conviction in this constitutional crime means no pardon even from the President of the country. He believes that they will provide a long list of “abettors” to the court to justify their stance that Musharraf did not take the step alone.
Costly justice
The high treason trial of the former president has so far cost the national kitty a whopping Rs57.2 million, the budget documents unveiled. However, the actual cost could be much more than this amount.
The Interior Division and the Law, Justice and Human Rights Division has sought over Rs57 million for the establishment of special court and miscellaneous expenses, according to the budget.
20 documents submitted to court
On Tuesday, an official of the law ministry submitted 20 more important documentary proofs related to the 2007 emergency rule before a three-judge special court led by Justice Faisal Arab in the treason trial against Musharraf.
During Tuesday's proceedings, leading defence counsel Farogh Nasim was not present in the court and his associate Shaukat Hayyat cross-examined an FIA official, Taj Umar, who presented documentary evidences against Musharraf for promulgation of emergency rule in 2007.
The evidences including attested gazette copies of emergency order of the removal of judges by Musharraf. The former army general is being tried under article six of the constitution in room number six of the Federal Shariat Court (FSC).
An assistant editor of Pakistan Television submitted a CD containing November 3, 2007 speech of Musharraf. The defence team cross-examined the official and could not extract something significant from him and it termed the statement of the PTV official Talib Hassan untrue. Hassan refuted the claim and said that he did follow instructions of seniors while providing CD to Federal Investigation Agency which inquires about the recoded speech citing their mandate to gather evidence against former military ruler.
COMMENTS (30)
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Rs57.2 million so far ... Nawaz can you please adjust this amount in electricity bills under tax for Musharaf's trail... sure your voters have enough deep pockets. Go on.
AK is a courtier in the royal household of the ruling family.
@Liaqat ali: very True, but if you look at the history of the conquerors of their own country, any or little progress this country has seen is during their times, with the exception of Yahya and Zia, the industrial and agricultural revolution Pakistan has ever seen was the gift of Ayub and then highways and some more modernization was Musharraf. What has politicians ever given to this country - starting from Buttto who nationalized everything of value to completely destroy them, as these institutions then started getting used for political agendas, when the second Bhutto regime came they started taking commissions from 10 to 50 percent on any venture. NS got three terms, current included, and except corruption, nepotism and personal gains nothing else appears to be on the agenda. So what do we leave for our future generations, the choice is between a general who might do something or a politician who will definitely not do anything. It is a rock and a hard place...
@Nazir: this time they won't let him run away or let him go, they never make the same mistake twice. He is being arrogant because he is stupid - being kind and megnanmous will go a long way for him. But then what do I know...
@Frank: did Jinnah made Pakistan for the generals like Ayub, Yahya, ZIa and Musharraf. at leastoliticians come by people's votes not with the help of borrowed guns . I am appalled by comments in favour of conquarrers of their own country.
Unless the Generals are put in their place Pakistan has no future. Just because they have guns, they do not become virtuous and incorruptible. The only reason you don't hear major corruption scandals in their rule is because the media is afraid of writing about the establishment. Just see what happened to journalists who tried. The politicians are no better but that does not let the establishment off the hook.
Why make it personal. Suspension, abeyance of the Constitution is a crime against the nation and the State. If at any stage, NS does not fulfill his responsibility to bring criminals to justice, then he should be held accountable in failing his duty.
NS must keep updated flight schedule for LHR-Jeddah
Its just a matter of time when the ruling is party tried for killing 14 people in model town. Timing may depend on the successful completion of Waziristan operation.
Yeah.... Akram Sheikh is milking the state good. He would like this case to drag as long as possible.
@Frank: Wait a minute! Was it made for the army to do coups?!?! This country was not made did goofy generals to run!!!
Well done Nawaz Sharif teach him a lesson. Can't believe some unwise people still speak for army's role in running state
this time MNS will have not much time to escape with million dollars
Akram Sheikh should be ashamed of himself.
I don't get it if Musharaf is guilty, when he was not even on-foot when all drama happened, then why isn't lame Chaudary Court and Kiyani not with him?
I think our illegitimate prime minster likes to hold grudges. Grow up Mr. PM!
No dictator will dare imposing martial law. Go on NS fight for democracy
Poor prosecutor is not realizing that NS will leave him alone in his miseries like Gullu Butt.
NS is missing Jaddah.
Stay Brave and Strong Mian Sahab in the face of propaganda tactics and mental slaves of Musharraf.
NS might be out playing his hand again because of his inability to work professionally and make things personal. He also seems to be getting terrible advice from some people given what has been reported regarding Nisar's reasons for being mad at NS.
When is the army going to step in and save us from this man and his family? Did Jinnah make Pakistan for the menials of Jati Umra to become royals?
This is the beginning of the end of Nawaz Sharif's government. Some people can never learn from their past mistakes.
It is high time that General raheel Sharif Kicks Nawaz out of office and stop this circus. it is laughable that abettors and helpers have to come forward and accept the responsibility which is like some body has to present a certificate that he is still alive even though the person is standing right there.
Lets see where NS ends up this time. Lets hope he will not have to write another apology letter and fly away.
obviously, it has become Nawaz's life mission. No signs of maturity and national leadership. He is stuck with Lahore Mayer level leadership.
Financially Damaging? Akram Sheikh and his team in being paid millions out of Tax Payers money, and its still damaging for him :-(
yes remain strong against the dictator unless he meets his fate.