ISLAMABAD, April 1: The Supreme Court on Monday, while hearing a high treason case against former president Pervez Musharraf, remarked that the special court should announce a decision after hearing the prosecution as the suspect will lose his right to defend if he fails to appear before court on May 2.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Asif Saeed Khosa heard the high treason case against Musharraf on the Lahore High Court Bar’s petition.
As the hearing went underway, CJP Khosa inquired whether Musharraf had assured that he will appear before the court on May 2. “What will happen if Musharraf does not live up to his commitment? This matter cannot be left openhanded.”
Musharraf’s counsel told the court, “We contacted Musharraf’s wife. The former president had set the date for his return as May 13 and he does not want to record his statement via Skype as there are too many documents.”
“As Musharraf’s counsel I cannot assure that he will appear before the court on May 2. It is a matter of his health and he is currently undergoing chemotherapy,” the former premier’s lawyer told the court.
At this, the chief justice remarked, “The court will review Article 9 in detail. As per Article 9, the court can start the trial even in the suspect’s absence and one lawyer has to be appointed for the suspect’s defence.”
“On July 19, 2016, the trial court stated that the case cannot continue in the suspect’s absence. The state should have challenged that decision as they were the complainants. The federal government itself let the suspect leave the country and did nothing to bring him. The federation put itself in a closed street,” CJP Khosa added.
The chief justice further said, “We do not doubt anyone’s intent. The federation itself did nothing after 2016. We need time to focus on whether a legal route can be taken given the circumstances.”
The court then announced a decision on the case and said, “If Musharraf does not appear on May 2, the special court should announce a decision after hearing the prosecution. Agencies
