Musharraf summon: special court rejects stay order plea

ISLAMABAD: Special Court has dismissed plea seeking stay order against its own verdict issued on Thursday to summon former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, Geo News reported.

The special court had summoned Pervez Musharraf on January 16 in the treason case.

The court, in its order on Friday, said the special court had no power to change its own verdict.

Cr. P.C

The special court constituted to try former president Pervez Musharraf for treason Friday announced that the criminal procedure code (Cr. P.C.) would apply in the proceedings of the case.

Earlier, the court on January 8 after hearing both the parties had reserved the decision on whether it should start proceedings under Cr. P.C. or frame its own rules to try the former army chief.

Prosecutor Akram Sheikh while arguing on January 8 had asserted that Cr.P.C. applies under special laws in this case, adding special court law was not flawed and if found lacking at any stage then the general and state laws would apply.

From the petitions and reservations of the defence lawyers, it seemed that the special court holds no power and its working perimeter was very limited, Akram Sheilkh pointed out to the court. Akram Sheikh also cited different cases in support of his arguments.

Pervez Musharraf’s lawyer Anwar Mansoor argued that the special court section 13 says Cr. P.C. would not apply in treason trial. Another member of the defence legal team, Dr. Khalid Ranjha said that Pervez Musharraf could be tried only in the military court, as any other court was not authorised to try him.

Later, the court had reserved its decision on whether Cr. P.C. will apply or not.