ISLAMABAD: The special court formed to try former President Pervez Musharraf for high treason on Friday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against the former president for not appearing before the court today and ordered to present him on March 31.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Faisal Arab and comprising Justice Tahira Safdar and Justice Yawar Ali in its order said that the former president should be arrested and presented before the court on March 31.
The special court declared that the order regarding his arrest will be applicable from the morning of March 31‚ if the accused denies to appear before the court.
The court also directed secretary interior to make fool proof security arrangements at the time of appearance of Musharraf. The court also directed secretary interior to make sufficient arrangement for the safe travelling of Musharraf between the Armed forces Institute of Cardiology and the court premises.
Moreover, the court also directed secretary interior to remain present in the court during hearing on March 31.
Earlier in the day, the counsel of Musharraf, Anwar Mansoor, submitted an application in the special court requesting for his client’s exemption from today’s hearing, while Justice Faisal Arab remarked that Musharraf will be indicted even if he does not appear before court.
During the proceedings, Mansoor said that background checks were being conducted of security personnel deployed for Musharraf’s security which would take six-eight weeks.
Musharraf’s counsel also contended that orders issued by the court to summon his client were illegal, adding that the December 13 order was also illegal. He said that the court should revisit its order.
On the occasion, the prosecutor Akram Sheikh said that Musharraf’s absence from hearings was an attempt to disrupt court proceedings.
