ISLAMABAD: A special court hearing high treason case against General (r) Pervez Musharraf on Friday gave the federal gove
rnment go-ahead to suspend passport and CNIC of the former military ruler.
“In case the accused fails to submit his
written request as mentioned hereinabove, the ministry of interior and all other departments, divisions and agencies of the gove
rnment of Pakistan are to take positive steps in ensuring the arrest of the accused and attachment of his properties abroad, including suspension of the CNIC and passport of the accused,” reads a four-page order of the special court issued on Friday.
The three-member bench, headed by Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and comprising Lahore High Court Chief Justice Yawar Ali and Justice Tahira Safdar of the Balochistan High Court, had conducted the last hearing on March 8. However, the
written order was issued later.
Th
e court had earlier directed the interior ministry to approach the Interpol for arrest of the former president.
“This court is alive to the request made by counsel for accused and in case, the accused intends to appear before this court on March 21, he may within seven days approach the ministry of interior in writing for the requisite protection that was offered by the head of prosecution on May 19, 2017,” the order reads, referring to Akhtar Shah, the counsel for Musharraf, stating that his client intends to appear before th
e court but he should be provided security by the defence ministry.
The special court in its order has directed that in case Musharraf fails to submit his
written request seeking security, the interior ministry and all other departments, divisions and agencies are to take positive steps in ensuring the arrest of the accused and attachment of his properties abroad, including suspension of the passport and CNIC of the accused.
Legal experts believe that the special co
urt217;s order to suspend his CNIC and passport is very significant as it will halt the movement of Musharraf abroad.
The special court in its order has expressed dismay at the inaction of the federal gove
rnment in taking positive steps to ensure the arrest of Musharraf, who has already been declared a proclaimed offender. “In this regard, th
e court was informed that the accused is presently residing in United Arab Emirates and that there is an extradition treaty between gove
rnment of UAE and gove
rnment of Pakistan which could be invoked to ensure the arrest of the accused and attachment of his properties in UAE,” says the order.
Th
e court also asked the federal gove
rnment to make requisite request to Interpol for the issuance of appropriate warrant for his arrest and for his production before th
e court.
The case hearing will resume on March 21.
All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Secretary General Muhammad Amjad, meanwhile, told reporters on Friday that General (r) Pervez Musharraf will return to country in April and will face all the cases against him including a treason case being heard by the special court. He said that Musharraf has summoned a high-level party meeting i
n Dubai on March 21 to discuss his return to country.
Published in Daily Times, March 17th 2018.