The Supreme Court of Pakistan Monday directed the trial court to announce verdict in high treason case against former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf if he does not appear
ISLAMABAD (Pakistan Point News / NNI - 01st April, 2019) The Supreme Court of Pakistan Monday directed the trial court to announce verdict in high treason case against former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf if he does not appear.The top court pronounced that the trial court is allowed to announce decision after hearing the prosecution if the former president remains absent. It was further stated that no petition will be accepted to postpone the hearing.
Pervez Musharraf will get all legal rights if he appears before the court on May 2, the Supreme Court said.During the hearing of the high treason case against him, Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said if a suspect is purposely not appearing in court, they cannot let him take advantage.He said that if the former president does not appear in court to record his statement, he will lose his chance to do so. This was a facility we provided to you and it will not be extended again, warned the judges.
The court said because Musharraf is an absconder in this case, he has forfeited his rights, such as the one ensuring he be present while the trial against him is conducted.His lawyer said he wants to appear before the court to record his statement. The lawyer made similar statements at previous hearings, saying the former president wanted to appear in court but could not due to his health.The chief justice asked whether Musharraf had assured that he would be appearing before the court.
If he doesn't come back despite his assurances, what happens, he asked."If he promised and still doesn't come back, then something should happen," Justice Khosa observed. The court also said that no requests or petitions to delay the trial will be entertained.A special court's March 28 order summoning Musharraf on May 2 was also presented in the court. The SC ordered the trial court hearing the case to make a decision in the case if Musharraf does not appear before the court. NNI
