ISLAMABAD: The indictment of former president retired Gen Pervez Musharraf in the high treason case is likely to be delayed as his lawyers fear a Monday-like attack if he appears before the Special Court on March 11.
The three-judge court headed by Justice Faisal Arab of the Sindh High Court commenced the treason trial on Dec 13. On Feb 21, the court had rejected the defence counsel’s plea for transferring the trial to a military court and summoned him for indictment.
On Tuesday, the defence counsel submitted an application requesting the court to hold the hearing at a safe place, saying that the current location at the National Library Auditorium was vulnerable.
Citing Monday’s terrorist attack on the district courts in Islamabad in which 11 people, an additional district and sessions judge among them, were killed, the application said: “It is dangerous and risky for the legal team, especially Gen Musharraf and the honourable judges, to attend the court, where there is every likelihood of such attacks.
‘‘It is respectfully submitted that the environment in which this special court is functioning is most insecure and lacks arrangements for adequate security both for the honourable judges and the lawyers.”
It said the gruesome killing of an upright, independent and respected judicial officer and several members of the bar reflected government’s lack of capacity to maintain law and order even in the premises of courts. It is no longer safe for judges and lawyers to perform their duty in courts.
The application suggested that the Special Court be relocated to a safe place and requested the judges that “until secure and proper arrangements are made the proceedings be adjourned sine die”.
