Summary Musharraf council Ahmad Raza Kasuri says cases be deferred till after the elections.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News/Web Desk) - A two-judge bench of the apex court, comprising Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain heard the case against Musharraf seeking his trial under Article-6 of the High Treason Act 1973 for imposing emergency rule and arresting judges in 2007.
Lawyers are petitioning the Supreme Court to have the 69-year-old retired general put on trial for treason for subverting the constitution during his 1999-2008 rule.
Musharraf returned to Pakistan last month from four years of self-imposed exile to stand in the May 11 general election, which will mark the first democratic transition of power in the country s troubled 66-year history.
Judge Jawad Khawaja adjourned the treason hearing to April 15 to give Musharraf s lawyers time to prepare a response, rejecting their plea to put the matter off until after the election to allow him time to campaign.
Justice Jawad S Khawaja remarked “We don’t want to get into the matter where did you go and where not. We are ready to give you appropriate time but we cannot allow you 6 weeks time.
Justice Jawad S Khawaja remarked matter is running since 2009 and even then you are describing it hasty. "The cases are very simple in nature and the matter that needs to be looked at is straightforward enough," the judge said.
"We therefore consider it will be sufficient to meet the ends of justice if the cases are adjourned to April 15." Musharraf has been approved to stand as a candidate in the remote northern area of Chitral, although a lawyer has vowed to contest that decision, but he has been rejected in three other seats.
Musharraf has said he came home to "save" nuclear-armed Pakistan, which is afflicted by an economic malaise and near-daily attacks by the Taliban and other militants. But the retired general has had a muted homecoming and in addition to the treason allegations faces a host of other legal challenges.
He has been bailed over the 2007 killing of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and a Baluch rebel leader in 2006, and for sacking and arresting judges during emergency rule in 2007.
Musharraf dismissed around 60 top judges including Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who was held under house arrest.
Talking to the media after the hearing, counsel for Pervez Musharraf Ahmad Raza Kasuri said that the electoral campaign of his client (Musharraf) would suffer if he is made to come into court hence he has requested the court to delay the proceedings till after the elections.
Qasuri claimed that the matter of PCO judges is not only related to Musharraf but the names of Army Chief, Corps commander, Ministers and Governors also were included.
He claimed that political opponents are in a state of panic since the return of Musharraf to the country and are conspiring to keep him out of the elections race.
He asserted that he was not given proper time to give answers of the five submitted petitions against his client.
