Pakistan court halts verdict in Musharraf treason case

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) - A Pakistani high court on Wednesday stopped a special court from announcing its verdict in a treason case against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, local media reported.

The directives were issued by a three-member bench of the Islamabad High Court, led by Chief Justice Athar Minallah, according to local broadcaster Geo News.

The court directed the special court to hear the arguments of all parties before announcing the verdict.

On Monday, the government had filed a petition in the Islamabad High court, requesting to postpone the long-awaited judgement in a treason case against the former military ruler.

In the petition, the Interior Ministry said it needed more time to submit its arguments in the high-profile case.

On Nov. 19, the special court concluded the trial proceedings in the high treason case Musharraf and ruled that the verdict will be announced on Nov. 28.

The former dictator is accused of suspending the constitution and imposing a state of emergency in 2007.

Musharraf, who was indicted in 2014, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Musharraf, who has long been in the United Arab Emirates for treatment, also filed a petition in the Lahore High Court seeking a similar relief, which will be heard on Nov 28.

The former army chief, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, is also accused of being involved in the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, veteran Baloch politician Nawab Akbar Bugti and Islamabad’s Red Mosque cleric Abdul Rasheed.

He is reportedly suffering from a cardiac disease and has been avoiding appearing in different courts of law.