Treason trial: Special court orders Musharraf to appear on Jan 16
The special court had earlier reserved the decision over Musharraf's exemption from appearance.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The special court setup to try Musharraf under Article 6 of the constitution has ordered the retired general to appear before the bench on January 16.
In its order, the court stated that the bench will issue further orders if Musharraf fails to appear before the bench.
The bench said the medical report hasn’t stated that Musharraf suffered heart attack, adding that Musharraf had already been granted exemption thrice.
The special court had earlier reserved the decision over exemption of Musharraf from appearing before the bench due to his ongoing illness.
A three-member bench of special court headed by Justice Faisal Arab heard the allegations of treason levelled against former president Pervez Mushrraf on Thursday.
One of the lawyers representing Musharraf, Sharifuddin Pirzada apprised the court about the health condition of Musharraf. Pirzada stated that Musharraf hasn’t completely recovered, adding that it was in violation of constitution to summon an ill person.
After hearing the arguments, the court reserved the decision over Musharraf’s exemption from appearing in court.
Addressing the media, Ahmed Raza Kasuri, another counsel for Musharraf, said the court should allow Musharraf to exempt from court hearings since the doctors had advised him to take rest.
He further accused special prosecutor Akram Sheikh for releasing Musharraf’s medical report to media, adding that the report comes under right of privacy.
Meanwhile, Akram sheikh said Musharraf was not suffering from blocked artery blockage, saying that there was nothing in medical report that obstructs Musharraf from appearing before bench.
The 70-year-old former president was rushed to a military hospital on Thursday after falling ill while being taken to hear treason charges against him at the tribunal in Islamabad.
Musharraf s camp says the treason allegations, which relate to his imposition of emergency rule in November 2007, are politically motivated and his lawyers have challenged the authority of the tribunal.
Aside from the treason allegations, Musharraf also faces trial over the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, the death of a rebel leader, a deadly raid on a radical mosque and the detention of judges.
According to medical report submitted to the court, former president Musharraf suffers from at least nine medical conditions.
As per the medical report, Musharraf s left arteries were blocked and his left shoulder was not working properly. Report also says Musharraf suffers from problems in left knee and spinal cord.
Former president also suffers from hyper-tension, the report added.
