ISLAMABAD - The Special Court Thursday maintained to indict former President General (r) Pervez Musharraf for high treason today (Friday).
The 70-year-old ex-Commando is facing high treason charges under Article 6 of the Constitution for Proclamation of Emergency in the country on November 3, 2007. If convicted he could be awarded death sentence or life imprisonment.
The representatives of intelligence agencies, in pursuance of the court order gave briefing to the judges in chambers at Sindh House, Islamabad. Interior ministry officials were also present in the in-camera briefing.
The court in order to confirm the authenticity of the alert, circulated by interior ministry on the eve of Musharraf appearance on March 11, had directed the heads of the spy agencies to brief them about the advisory in judges’ chambers.
The sources told The Nation that the spy agencies, including ISI, provided tapes to the court that contained conversion between terrorists about attacking Musharraf en route to Special Court, established in National Library. The former general is admitted in the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC), Rawalpindi, since January 2, 2014.
During the hearing, Musharraf’s lead counsel Anwar Mansoor, appearing before the court prayed to adjourn the case as he said he was not able to argue the case because of food poisoning and doctor had advised him complete rest. He said despite that he appeared due to court order.
Justice Faisal stated they could not compel any lawyer to argue if he was unwell. He asked the defence counsel to argue the case on Friday. Anwar Mansoor contended that due to bad health he might not be able to argue the case tomorrow as well. Justice Faisal said it was up to him but Musharraf has to appear before the court on Friday (today).