Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The federal government’s plea, seeking trial of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf under a high treason case, had been put into the cold storage as a special court on Tuesday declined prosecution’s request for resuming the case against him in absentia.

“We are of the opinion that, unless or until, the accused, Musharraf, is arrested or surrenders himself and his statement under Section 342 of the CrPC is recorded, we cannot proceed further with the matter,” observed the special court in its written order. “As far as his [Musharraf’s] accounts, as mentioned in the statement provided by the complainant, are concerned, those shall be seized through the State bank of Pakistan,” the court ruled.

A three-member bench of the special court presided over by Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel on Tuesday resumed the hearing of the high treason case against former military ruler Musharraf.

The court also directed to initiate proceedings against the “absconding accused” under Section 88 of the CrPC. “We would like to order for initiation of proceedings under Section 88 of the CrPC against the accused for attachment of his properties and, in this regard all the district collectors of the areas concerned are directed to attach the properties of the accused other than residential,” ruled the special court. Appearing on behalf of the government, Muhammad Akram Sheikh, requested the court to record the accused’ statement through Skype, saying the trial should be concluded at any cost.

Sehba Musharraf, wife of Pervez Musharraf, pointed out that he [Musharraf] did not won all the properties and bank accounts, as he had gifted major portion of his holdings and other valuables to his wife and siblings.

However, the court said that aggrieved persons, if any, from the court’s order regarding the attachment of the properties of Musharraf, could file objection within six months. Later, the court adjourned the hearing of the case sine die.