Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The government has requested the special court (SC) to proceed high treason case against former president Pervez Musharraf on early basis.

The three-member SC presided by Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and comprised of Justice Tahira Safdar and Justice Yawar Ali has been hearing the case.

Akram Sheikh, head of prosecution team, has moved an application in pursuance of SC orders dated March 31 in which it had directed the prosecution to submit written synopsis on the issues sought to be raised in the instant matter.

The application stated that Musharraf had been seeking adjournments had finally stopped appearing in this matter so as to impede the course of justice.

The application also read that despite the court’s directions to appear before the SC, the former president travelled abroad for his medical checkup.

The prosecution added that Musharraf moved an application to assure the SC that he would be back whenever required by the court, adding that he had consistently held throughout the trial that he would return to face the trial as soon as his medical treatment was completed.

“It is evident from both the record and behavior of the accused (Musharraf) that the accused is not ill and that furthermore his absence has been brought about by himself to impede the course of justice,” it added.

“Under Section 9 of the Criminal Law Amendment (Special Court) Act, 1976, this Hon’ble Court is required to proceed with the trial and not grant any adjournment for any purpose unless it is of opinion that the adjournment is necessary in the interest of justice,” the application stated.

The application requested to proceed the matter in the interest of preserving both the fundamental and special law of the land and to comply with the order of the court.