Pakistani Court Orders Musharraf’s Arrest In High Treason Case

Islamabad, Feb 2, IRNA – A Pakistani court has ordered the arrest of former President Pervez Musharraf in a high treason case as he has not appeared in the court despite several orders, court officials said. A three-member bench also rejected Musharraf’s request to allow him to go abroad for medical treatment as his name is included in the list of those people who cannot leave the country. Musharraf was taken to a military hospital earlier this month when he was heading to the court to stand in the high treason case. The former military president is still under treatment at the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in the garrison city of Rawalpindi near Islamabad. The hospital had presented a medical report in the court last week and the court ruled that there is nothing serious in the report to stop Musharraf from court’s appearance. The court while delivering verdict on Musharraf’s medical report issued bailable arrest warrant for the former military ruler. The court adjourned the hearing until February 7. Defense lawyers of Musharraf had earlier insisted that their client could not appear because of his poor health condition and had also opposed arrest warrant. Special prosecutor, Akram Sheikh, had prayed to the court to issue Musharraf’s arrest warrant as he intentionally avoids appearance in the court. Last week a medical report had suggested an immediate angiography for Musharraf as his lawyers said he suffered from heart problem. The medical report said Musharraf has refused to undergo angiography in Pakistan and wants it outside the country and in hospital of his choice. As all facilities of angiography are available at the AFIC, the report called for a decision about the angiography as soon as possible. The court had earlier observed that Musharraf is not too sick to avoid appearance. Medical experts said that all facilities for his treatment are available in Pakistan and there is no need to take him out of the country for treatment. The court in its Fridayˈs order also said all facilities for Musharrafˈs treatment is available in Pakistan and that he cannot go abroad for treatment. It said the AFIC conducts thousands of heart operations every year. The court ruled that Musharraf can get treatment in the country. The court ordered the Islamabad police chief to implement the courtˈs order. The court ordered Musharraf to submit surety bonds. The order said the court cannot force the government to remove name of the former President from the Exit Control List. The former president, who is accused of abrogating the constitution in 2007, cannot leave the country as his name is included in the list of those who need special permission to go abroad. Musharraf had already got bails in three high profile cases including the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. She was killed in a suicide bomb attack and gunshots during Musharrafˈs rule in Rawalpindi./end