SC to hear treason petitions against Musharraf today

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan will resume hearing into identical petitions, seeking directives to initiate high treason case against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf for subverting the Constitution and imposing state of emergency today (Monday).

A three-judge bench comprising Justice Jawad S. Khawaja, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan would take the case. The federal government will submit its reply over article six.

During the last hearing of the case, Additional Law Secretary told the court that the Interior Secretary was authorized to initiate high treason case and notification in this regard was issued in 1994.

A division bench of the apex court comprising Justice Jawad S. Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain had issued notice to the Secretary Interior, seeking explanation as to what action has been taken following the Senate resolution which sought action against the former president and ex-army chief Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf.

The upper house of the parliament had adopted a resolution on April 19, seeking trial of Musharraf under article six (punishment for high treason).

Interim Information Minister Arif Nizami says the government will submit its reply regarding the article 6 on Monday (today), adding that the court orders would be implemented by the interim government.