High treason case: LHC issues notice to govt on Musharraf’s application

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday issued a notice to the federal government on a miscellaneous application filed by former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf to declare trial proceedings pending before a special court unconstitutional as well as all actions against him ranging from initiation of high treason complaint, appointment of prosecution team and the formation of the trial court.

In the civil miscellaneous application filed with the already pending main petition against the trial, the ex-military ruler termed the whole proceedings a violation of Articles 90 & 91 of the Constitution.

At the outset of the hearing, Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi asked the petitioner’s lawyer why the second application was submitted if another petition by Musharraf was already being heard in the LHC. Azhar Siddique, Musharraf’s counsel, said this was a miscellaneous application to halt trail court’s proceedings at once.

“Would it be reasonable to form a full bench to hear Musharraf’s petitions?” asked Justice Naqvi, in response to which Siddique and the government lawyer said the court had nearly heard the entire matter and there was no need to form a full bench.