ISLAMABAD: In an interesting turn of events surrounding the treason trial of Pervez Musharraf, the former army strongman was shifted to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi after suddenly developing a medical complication while en route towards the special court.
DIG Security Jan Mohammad informed the special court of the same, following which the judges announced a break until 4 pm when they will issue a ruling in the light of the latest developments in the case.
Earlier today, the special court which had summoned the retired general on Jan 2, had ordered the former dictator to appear in court before 11:30, warning that warrants for his arrest would be issued in case of failure to comply with the court's orders.
The court also had to take a short recess following a walk out staged by Musharraf's counsel. His lawyer Anwar Mansoor had walked out of the special court citing lack of sleep due to alleged disturbances outside the door of his residence the previous night. Mansoor said he had never experienced anything like it in his 40-year career.
Moreover, the head of Musharraf's defence team, senior lawyer Sharifuddin Pirzada, claimed that the chief prosecutor in the case, Advocate Akram Shaikh, had hurled threats to him via Barrister Ibrahim Satti, who is another counsel for the former president.
Advocate Pirzada had also hinted that his client may appear before the special court today. Following which, the court had taken the recess to resolve the grievances of the disgruntled lawyer representing Musharraf.
However, after Musharraf's transfer to the hospital, the court said it would issue an order at 4 pm following consultations among the judges.
The treason hearing against Musharraf had resumed today amid strict security arrangements on the route from his farmhouse to the court premises and in surrounding areas.
The security arrangements made over the expected arrival of the former president included mobile phone jammers, at least 1,000 police personnel, deployment of containers to cordon off traffic and bomb scanners.
The court on Jan 1, had ordered for Musharraf to appear before the bench today and had also warned of issuing a ruling in case he did not appear. Moreover, Musharraf's legal team had also filed a plea in the special court to exempt him from appearing before it on account of threats to his security.
Former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf is being prosecuted under Article 6 of the Constitution for imposing an emergency in the country on Nov 3, 2007 and for detaining members of the superior judiciary.
dawn.com