Confusion in Pakistan over quitting of chief judge hearing treason trial against Pakistan’s former military ruler and president Parvez Musharraf.
Islamabad, March 27/Nationalturk – There is confusion in Pakistan over quitting of Justice Faisal Arab heading three-member special court hearing treason trial against Pakistan’s former military ruler and president Parvez Musharraf.
There were reports that he had rescused himself from the case but later in the day it was stated that he had just walked away from today’s proceedings.
According to media reports, during today’s hearing, the former military ruler’s lawyers said the state prosecutor Akram Sheikh should not be allowed to speak on the case till the court announces its decision regarding his appointment. The court had reserved its decision on Sheikh’s appointment on March 26.
However, turning down defence lawyer’s pleas, Justice Arab said the prosecutor will be allowed to speak in court. “At this point of time, Musharraf’s lawyers said that they were not happy with the Special Court bench as it was not neutral and biased”.
“If the lawyers think the bench was not neutral, I will separate himself from the bench,”Justice Arab said and walked out of the courtroom.
Musharraf’s lawyers have accused special bench of bias
Musharraf’s lawyers have repeatedly accused members of special bench of bias and called for removal of Akram Sheikh as state prosecutor.
It was not immediately clear whether the government would form a new bench or if one of the two remaining judges would become the chief and continue hearing of the case.
Musharraf’s defence lawyer Ahmed Raza Kasuri while talking to media persons outside the court termed Justice Arab’s decision to recuse himself from the case a right decision.
“Better late than never. I am glad that Justice Arab’s conscience has finally risen,” he said.
‘Judge only walked out’
According to Pakistan newspaper, The Dawn, Justice Arab later clarified that he had only walked out of today’s proceedings as opposed to dissociating himself from the case altogether.
It said the special court also upheld an earlier decision summoning Musharraf on March 31 and failure to do so would result in the implementation of the non-bailable arrest warrant issued for the former president.
Musharraf will be indicted when he appears in court.
The special court hearing high treason trial against Musharraf comprised Justice Arab of the Sindh High Court, Justice Tahira Safdar of the Balochistan High Court and Justice Yawar Ali of the Lahore High Court.
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Asia News/ NationalTurk Pakistan News
