Special court orders Musharraf to appear on Jan 16

ISLAMABAD: The Special Court bench issued its verdict on Pervez Musharraf's medical reports and has ordered the retired general to appear before the bench on January 16, Geo News reported.

The special court had reserved its verdict after prosecution and defence lawyers concluded their arguments earlier today. According to the court’s order, Pervez Musharraf has been instructed to appear before the special court on January 16.

After receiving Pervez Musharraf's medical reports from the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) on Tuesday, the three-member special court, hearing the treason trial, had ruled that it would examine the reports and deliver its verdict today. The court, headed by Justice Faisal Arab, had granted a two day exemption to the former president from appearing before the bench.

During today’s proceedings Anwar Mansoor Khan, counsel for Musharraf, told the court that he was threatened to give up the case last night while his driver was tortured in Karachi. He further told that he had provided the caller’s number to IG Sindh, Home Secretary Sindh and IG Islamabad while an FIR had also been registered.

On this, Justice Faisal Arab remarked that the court will not tolerate such acts and will pass orders to provide security to the prosecution and defence lawyers.

Speaking to the media after the hearing, special prosecutor Muhammad Akram Sheikh told the media men that the report does not state that the accused can not attend the hearing.

The court has also reserved its judgment on the applicability of the CrPC and ruled that it would be announced tomorrow (Friday).