Pak Govt. seeks expedition of Musharraf's trial in treason case

Islamabad [Pakistan], April 30 (ANI): The Pakistan Government has asked the special court to precede the high treason case against former president Pervez Musharraf on an early basis. The treason case was initiated against Musharraf for abrogating the Constitution on November 3, 2007. The prosecution team headed by Akram Sheikh submitted an application in pursuance of special court's orders dated March 31 in which it had directed the prosecution to submit written synopsis regarding the completion of the trial. "Under Section 9 of the Criminal Law Amendment [Special Court] Act, 1976, this Honourable Court [Special Court] is required to proceed with the trial and not grant any adjournment for any purpose unless it is of opinion that the adjournment is necessary in the interest of justice," The Express Tribune quoted the prosecution team as saying while submitting a written synopsis on the trial. The application said that Musharraf had been seeking adjournments so as to delay the course of justice in the case and also went abroad for his medical checkup despite the court's directions to appear before the SC. "It is evident from both the record and behavior of the accused (Musharraf) that the accused is not ill and that furthermore his absence has been brought about by himself to impede the course of justice," the statement read. The prosecution team also pointed that Musharraf has subsequently stopped appearing in the court. The special court had last year on March 8 issued notice to Musharraf to appear in person for examination but he travelled abroad purportedly for medical reasons without taking permission from the court. Musharraf had earlier filed a civil miscellaneous application (CMA) before the special court, requesting the court to allow him to travel aboard and had also assured that he would be back whenever his presence was required by the court. (ANI)