Pak Denies Security, Passage to Musharraf for High Treason Trial

Musharraf requested military security and safe passage back to Dubai once the trial ended.

Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. (Photo: Reuters)

Pakistan on Wednesday rejected the conditions of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to face his high treason trial. The federal government told a three-member special court that Musharraf, an ‘absconder’, cannot seek any relief until he surrenders before the court.

Musharraf had demanded military security and safe passage to Dubai as preconditions of joining a trial against on charges of High Treason.

An absconder cannot dictate his prerequisites to the court and give conditions, that too his own subjective satisfaction, as to when he will appear and for how long.

The government said in its response.

Musharraf’s Demands

Musharraf filed an application before the special court on 5 May in which he expressed willingness to face trial under military protection. He also sought assurance from the court that he would be given safe passage back to Dubai.

The government, through its chief prosecutor Mohammad Akram Sheikh, said, "The application has been filed only to prolong the conclusion of the trial," the Dawn reported.

That similar application requesting ‘foolproof’ security and citing medical and security reasons have previously been made in the other cases pending against the absconding accused, but no other court allowed these requests.

However, the government said it was willing to provide ‘all due security’ to Musharraf ‘as per his entitlement’.

Government’s Damning Response

The government's response also expressed doubts over the authenticity of the medical reports filed by Musharraf's counsel.

"There is neither any independently verified evidence of the ailments and travel restrictions nor has any material been placed on record," it said.

The attestation by consulate general of Pakistan, Dubai is dated 9 August 2016, whereas the body of the <i>vakaltnama</i> (power of attorney) has an overwritten date as 30 April 2017, which on the face of it shows that it is not an authentic document

The response said

According to the reply, the court through its order dated 19 July 2016, declared Musharraf to be a proclaimed offender/absconder. Repeated arrest warrants have been issued against him, after which proceedings to confiscate his properties have also been initiated.

The government asked the court to dismiss Musharraf’s application and to take “all appropriate coercive measures to procure the attendance of absconding accused to complete the trial”.

Musharraf is being tried for imposing an emergency in 2007 by suspending the constitution. This is considered high treason according to the constitution in Pakistan and carries maximum death penalty.

The special court will resume proceedings in the trial on 19 May.