Daily Times

A special court hearing the treason case against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on Thursday nominated Advocate Raza Bashir as the defence counsel in the case.

According to details, the Ministry of Law and Justice recommended 14 advocates to defend the former army chief, in line with Section 9 of the Criminal Law Special Court Act 1976. The special court’s three-judge bench, led by Justice Tahira Safdar, decided on Bashir’s name. The court also asked the ministry to issue a notification assigning Bashir to the case within three days.

The nomination was necessary as Musharraf’s own counsel cannot appear in his absentia.Musharraf currently resides in Dubai and has been unable to attend hearings in Pakistan as he is reportedly receiving medical treatment for a “rare disease”. Special court sends Musharraf 27 questions In June this year, the special court decided that court proceedings could no longer be halted due to the accused’s illness. “In the view of the described state of facts and in compliance of the decision given by Supreme Court for further proceedings of the trial a counsel is to be appointed to defend the accused as required by the Section 9 of the Act 1976. The Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of Pakistan, is directed to submit a panel of advocate for the purpose along with the package of fee to be paid to the advocate, so appointed to enable this court to further proceed with the case, as required.” The decision came after the defence counsel said the former president and army chief was physically and mentally unfit to return to the country.