Treason trial: Govt seeks ‘reasonable time’ to add name of abettors

The prosecution team is reluctant to pursue other abettors in this matter, says an official


Hasnaat Malik December 04, 2014

ISLAMABAD: Federal government on Thursday filed a petition in Special Court seeking ‘reasonable time’ to implement court’s November 21 order in high treason trial against former president General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf.

As the three judge-bench of the special court, headed by Justice Faisal Arab is set to resume hearing of high treason case against Musharraf on December 9, the government has moved a short application through its prosecution team regarding the adjournment of high treason case against former military ruler Musharraf.

According to the application, the government is seeking ‘reasonable time’ from the court to include the names of former prime minister Shaukat Aziz, ex-minister Zahid Hamid and former chief justice Abdul Hameed Dogar in the charge-sheet.

The government submitted that the law ministry is analysing the Special Court’s verdict and examining its legal and constitutional aspects, therefore reasonable time is required.

A member of prosecution team said that they will request the Special Court to adjourn the case for two weeks. He also admitted that the government is still indecisive about its future course of action in the case.

Another official stated that the prosecution team headed by Akram Sheikh has suggested the government to challenge the special court’s order.

Moreover, he said that the prosecution team was reluctant to pursue other abettors in this matter, adding that the prosecution team believes that the government should also take the burden of this case.

The official further said that the government is weighing four options in this case.

First option is to file reference under Article 186 of the Constitution to seek the top court’s opinion regarding the inclusion of Musharraf’s abettors. Second is to file a writ petition in the Islamabad High Court against the special court’s order. Thirdly, the government could file an appeal in the apex court against the November 21 verdict. Lastly, to comply with the court’s order in letter and spirit because aggrieved parties are themselves challenging the court verdict.

Zahid Hamid has consulted Khawaja Haris, Abdul Hameed Dogar is consulting Malik Qayyum and Shaukat Aziz has already hired Wasim Sajjad in this matter.

COMMENTS (5)

Azam Khan | 9 years ago | Reply

This is not a treason trial, this a revenge trial of Nawaz Sharif against Gen. Pervez Musharaf. Nawaz has always takes revenge; but never stops saying that he does not take revenge and forgives. We all know about his misleading statements, even on the floor of the parliament.

A | 9 years ago | Reply

Musharraf is the greatest leader of this country who has not a single charge on him for looting the national wealth or using his position for personal or family gain. Had he been a national of any other country, people must have treated him like an intellectual asset. But regretfully he's mistreated in Pakistan.

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