Interior secretary has authority to initiate treason case: Akram Sheikh

ISLAMABAD: The special court headed by Justice Faisal Arab constituted to try former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf for treason on Tuesday resumed the hearing of the case, Geo News reported.

During the hearing, the chief prosecutor Akram Sheikh argued that the federal government in accordance with the law could constitute special court, interior secretary is representing the federation, as it is not the job of the prime minister or the federal cabinet. He said that the governments during last twenty years kept silent over the issue of filing treason complaint. The existing government after the court decision nominated interior secretary as competent officer to file complaint.

Justice Faisal Arab intervening enquired has interior secretary the authority to get high treason case started on his own? Whether interior secretary has the authority to pick and choose the accused?

Akram Sheikh replied interior secretary has the authority to initiate treason case proceeding, he doesn’t choose the accused, as it hinges on investigation. The federal government as per law could constitute the special court, interior secretary is representing the federation, as it is not the job of the prime minister or federal cabinet. Blaming the prime minister and ex-chief justice of Pakistan partisan was unfortunate.