Treason case: Musharraf's counsel objects to judges' bench

Musharraf's counsel lamented that he had been barred from meeting his client at sub-jail.


ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The Supreme Court (SC) resumed hearing of the treason petitions against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on Monday.

A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Jawwad S. Khwaja, of the apex court reconstituted last week is hearing the case.

During the course of proceedings, Ahmed Raza Kasuri, counsel for Musharraf, objected to the bench, adding that Justice Jawad S Khawaja took oath under PCO.

The counsel lamented that he had been barred from meeting his client at sub-jail.

Meanwhile, the government will tell the apex court whether it wants to initiate proceedings against the former military ruler under Article 6 of the Constitution.

The retired general is currently residing in his farmhouse at Chak Shehzad which was declared a sub-jail last week.

Legal analysts believe that this case will prevent aspiring military dictators to overthrow democratic governments and suspend the Constitution. However, some politicians are cautioning that the trial may open a Pandora’s Box.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, chief of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), made a statement on Sunday suggesting that the trial should not target any specific institution of the state.

Shujaat was an ally of the former president when he unlawfully ruled the country for nine years (1999-2008).