Pak court rejects plea to drop terrorism charges against Musharraf

A Pakistani court has dismissed a petition seeking deletion of terrorism charges against former military dictator Pervez Musharraf and transfer of his case from Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) to sessions court, according to a media report.

An Islamab High Court division bench comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb resumed hearing of petition filed by 75-year-old Musharraf through his lawyer Akhtar Shah. bench dismissed petition on Wednesday because of repeated absence of Shah during hearing of case, Dawn News reported.

former military ruler has been seeking deletion of terrorism charges and subsequent transfer of his case from ATC to sessions court on ground that initially first information report (FIR) was registered under Pakistan Penal Code against him in connection with detention of 60 judges of superior judiciary after imposition of emergency on vember 3, 2007.

However, in 2013, a single-member bench of IHC h ordered police to invoke anti-terror law against Musharraf since detaining judges is "an act of terrorism". ATC has alrey declared Musharraf a proclaimed offender in judges' detention case as he has been abro since March 2016, report said.

RE: 'Pakistan Has Insulted Us', Says Atif Mashal, Afghan Envoy To Pakistan

prosecution has laid entire evidence against accused in this case. However, trial is standstill as former military leer is absconding in case. In 2009, Secretariat police h registered judges' detention case against Musharraf on complaint of vocate Mohamm Aslam Ghumman.

complainant said that former president, soon after imposition of emergency in 2007, h kept 60 judges of superior courts under detention for over five months at ir residences, it said. Interestingly, despite prosecution's repeated requests ne of detained judges or ir family members testified before ATC. Moreover, prosecution did t mention in FIR names of judges detained.

Taking benefit of legal loopholes, Musharraf's counsel Shah challenged terrorism charges. As per petition, Section 7 of ATA, 1997, was inserted in case on orders of IHC, but charges were t proved during investigation. petition ded that evidence was produced in connection with Section 7 of ATA by investigators and prosecution.

While referring to an order of IHC, it said, a division bench comprising Justice orul Haq Qureshi and Justice Riaz Ahmed Khan h held that lawyers' allegations could t be considered as evidence.

RE: Pakistan: Misbah Laments Over Loss, Calls It 'very Disappointing'