Musharraf to appear after court ensures security: Kasuri

KARACHI: The counsel of former president General Pervez Musharraf has stated in the special court, formed to hear high treason case, that his client would appear after the court ensured security,...

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Musharraf to appear after court ensures security: Kasuri
KARACHI: The counsel of former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf has stated in the special court, formed to hear high treason case, that his client would appear after the court ensured security, Geo News reported.

The three-member bench of the special court, headed by Justice Faisal Arab, resumed hearing on Tuesday morning here.

During the today’s proceedings, Ahmed Raza Kasuri presented security alert, issued by the interior ministry, before the court and said Muharraf will appear only after the court ensures his client’s security.

The court had ordered accused Pervez Musharraf to appear in court today for his likely indictment in the case.

Kasuri further informed the court that in the security alert, interior ministry has feared assassination attempt on Musharraf similar to attack on Salman Taseer. He said terrorists has penetrated into the security squad of his client, therefore, screening of security personnel was essential.

He said Musharraf will appear when the court summons him, however, the court will be responsible of any untoward incident with his client. He said: “History will hold you (the court) responsible”.

On this, Justice Faisal Arab observed that history itself would decide. The judge also asked the counsel not to cross the professional limits.

Prosecutor Advocate Akram Shaikh, in his counter arguments, said they would take security responsibility after the court orders to detain Musharraf.

The interior minister, in a letter delivered to intelligence agencies, said the terrorists have sympathisers in the security team of General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, who could assassinate him and the plan may materialise either en route using IEDs/VBIED or inside/outside the courts similar to the attack on Salmaan Taseer, former Punjab governor.

The Interior Ministry has reportedly written a letter to intelligence agencies and police outlining the threats to former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s life.

The former military dictator is facing a high treason trial for abrogating the Constitution in 2007 while imposing emergency rule.