SC concludes Musharraf treason case hearing

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has concluded hearing the identical petitions seeking treason trial of former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf Thursday while the order will be issued later, Geo News reported.

A three-judge SC bench headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja was hearing the case today where the concerned parties completed their arguments. The court is due to issue the verdict later to ascertain if high treason proceedings can be initiated against Pervez Musharraf.

During today’s hearing, Attorney General Munir A Malik told the court that a timeline will be set for the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) team tasked to conduct inquiry into the acts of the former military ruler that led to the imposition of emergency on November 3, 2007.

He also presented a directive to form an investigation team with reference to initiate treason trial against Musharraf.

Ibrahim Satti, who is the counsel of Pervez Musharraf, apprised the bench that his client has objections over the reply submitted by the AG in this regard, therefore, they should be considered.

Justice Khilji Arif responded that he should remain patient as the court will ensure that justice should be served to his client.

AG Munir A Malik told the court that a commission will be formed to ascertain transparency during the investigation and for the purpose of monitoring. He further apprised the bench that Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) holds the authority to initiate probe against Pervez Musharraf for high treason act.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had ordered the home secretary to form an investigation team that will conduct an inquiry into Pervez Musharraf’s November 3, 2007 acts.

The AG told that a special court will be set up soon after the team will conclude the probe while he also presented the directive, ordering the formation of the investigation team.

At one occasion, the judges remarked that the court functions under the law and does not make decisions in reaction.

After hearing the arguments of both the parties, the court concluded its proceedings while the judgment will be issued later.

It may be mentioned that a four-member FIA committee has been constituted to interrogate Pervez Musharraf under article 6 of the constitution.

The committee comprises two additional director generals and two directors. They included Additional DG FIA Khalid Qureshi, Azam Khan, Hussain Asghar and Maqsood-ul-Hassan.

The committee will present its report in shortest period of time.