Summary Musharraf held responsible for proclamation of emergency and breach of the Constitution of Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News)— A three member bench of Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad headed by Justice Faisal Arab heard the treason case against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on Thursday, Dunya News reported. Witness of prosecution, Additional Director General of FIA Khalid Qureshi, confirming his stance over the Emergency imposed by Musharraf in 2007, recorded his statement in the court. According to Khalid Qureshi, Musharraf imposed emergency in 2007 as Chief of Army Staff whereas he issued the affidavit of judges and Provisional Constitutional order (PCO) as President of the country. No advice has been issued by any third party regarding the emergency and issuance of PCO, said Khalid Qureshi who is the final witness of the prosecution. He further argued that Musharraf justified the imposition of Emergency with his claim to "restore peace and order” in the country, therefore, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz did not complain. He said that last year on June 27, Director General FIA Saud Mirza called on him, Muhammad Azam and Maqsood ul Hasan to inform about the joint investigation team to probe into the case. He told the court that four members of the team were given separate tasks of recording statements by witnesses, creating reports, dealing with legal matters and gathering evidences. It was decided that the investigation won’t affect the credibility of any institution.
Khalid Qureshi told that he was provided with four folders by the team containing details of emergency, statements by witnesses, legal references and progress reports. In a meeting with the investigation team it was later decided that no member of the team would give any media statements. All the parties present in the meeting also agreed to keep the investigative matters strictly confidential.
Soon after the investigation began, notifications were issued to ministries of foreign affairs and defence including Attorney General and Printing Corporation. The investigation team also contacted former secretary of cabinet Masood Alam, former secretary DM Mohsin Hafiz, former secretary Foreign affairs Kamal Shah, former Additional Secretary Law Mian Muhammad Ajmal, former Chief Minister Khalid Saeed, former Chief Commissioner Hamid Khan and others concerned.
The record of the emergency imposed on November 2, 2007 was sought from the concerned departments whereas even the Prime Minister Secretariat and President House failed to provide it. He held Musharraf responsible for proclamation of emergency and breach of the constitution of Pakistan. He further argued that Musharraf took all the unconstitutional measures during his regime including issuance of PCO and affidavit of judges. He told the court that the decision to register a treason case against Musharraf under article 6 of the constitution was taken by the investigation team. He said that on December 6, 2013 the investigation team met with Pervez Musharraf at his premise, however, Musharraf refused to record a statement despite being provided with emergency related documents. He requested defense ministry to provide the record of the emergency which wasn’t delivered, said Qureshi. The case hearing was adjourned until September 16. In the next hearing Musharraf’s counsel Farogh Nasim would cross-examine Khalid Qureshi.
