Lawyer says Supreme Court proceedings might influence FIA probe against Musharraf

ISLAMABAD: The counsel for former army chief Pervez Musharraf has expressed his apprehension that the Supreme Court's ongoing proceedings might influence the FIA team's investigations against his client.

Malik Qamar Afzal, one of the counsels for Musharraf, requested the bench to dispose of the matter on Friday, but the bench observed that they would like to provide equal opportunities to all the petitioners and respondents in the matter.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, on Friday observed that fair and free trial would be ensured in the current matter, as it was the fundamental right of Pervez Musharraf under Article 10A of the constitution.

Attorney General Munir A Malik did not attend Friday's proceedings due to prior commitments, while the deputy attorney general told the bench that it was reported in the media that the verdict had been reserved.

The counsel for Musharraf, Ibrahim Satti, said he thought that the hearing had been adjourned.

At the beginning of the hearing, the bench was informed that Attorney General Munir A Malik was busy in cases before the chief justice of Pakistan's bench since morning, and was not likely to be available for the day. The deputy attorney general cited some media reports in the matter, saying there was an impression that the court had reserved its judgement in the matter.

Raja Ibrahim Sati, another counsel for Musharraf, said that he thought that the hearing had been adjourned, upon which Justice Jawwad S Khawaja observed that the case hearing was being conducted almost on a daily basis.

During the proceedings, Malik Qamar Afzal pleaded to deliver verbal arguments in the instant matter, but the bench turned down his request.

The bench ruled, "Malik Qamar Afzal, ASC [advocate Supreme Court] wishes to make oral submission, which prima facie, do not appear reasonable because we are adjourning the case, however, still, if he wishes to make submissions, let him do so by filing a formal civil miscellaneous application."

Supreme Court to hear treason case against Musharraf on day to day basis

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday cleared the ambiguity by stating that the judgment in high treason case against former president General Retired Pervez Musharraf case was not reserved as carried out by a section of media.

This was stated by a three-judge bench comprising Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Ijaz Afzal Khan hearing the case.

Justice Khawaja remarked that the bench would hear the proceeding of the case on day-to-day basis and would like to provide equal opportunity to the all litigants in the case to argue.

Moving one step closer to putting the former military dictator on trial for treason, the government on Thursday had appointed a four-member FIA committee to investigate him for subverting the constitution.

Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan informed the National Assembly that the committee had been constituted to probe treason charges against Musharraf.

During the course of proceeding at the apex court today, Malik Qamar Afzal, counsel for Musharraf, wished to make oral submissions. However, the bench directed him to file a written submission in a formal application.

Later, the bench was informed that Attorney General Munir A. Malik was busy in case before Bench 1 and thus he would not be available during the course of the day.

Supreme Court concludes Musharraf treason case hearing

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has concluded hearing the identical petitions seeking treason trial of former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf Thursday while the order will be issued later, Nation News

A three-judge SC bench headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja was hearing the case today where the concerned parties completed their arguments. The court is due to issue the verdict later to ascertain if high treason proceedings can be initiated against Pervez Musharraf.

During today’s hearing, Attorney General Munir A Malik told the court that a timeline will be set for the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) team tasked to conduct inquiry into the acts of the former military ruler that led to the imposition of emergency on November 3, 2007.



He also presented a directive to form an investigation team with reference to initiate treason trial against Musharraf.



Ibrahim Satti, who is the counsel of Pervez Musharraf, apprised the bench that his client has objections over the reply submitted by the AG in this regard, therefore, they should be considered.
Justice Khilji Arif responded that he should remain patient as the court will ensure that justice should be served to his client.

AG Munir A Malik told the court that a commission will be formed to ascertain transparency during the investigation and for the purpose of monitoring. He further apprised the bench that Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) holds the authority to initiate probe against Pervez Musharraf for high treason act.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had ordered the home secretary to form an investigation team that will conduct an inquiry into Pervez Musharraf’s November 3, 2007 acts.

The AG told that a special court will be set up soon after the team will conclude the probe while he also presented the directive, ordering the formation of the investigation team.

At one occasion, the judges remarked that the court functions under the law and does not make decisions in reaction.


After hearing the arguments of both the parties, the court concluded its proceedings while the judgment will be issued later.


It may be mentioned that a four-member FIA committee has been constituted to interrogate Pervez Musharraf under article 6 of the constitution.

The committee comprises two additional director generals and two directors. They included Additional DG FIA Khalid Qureshi, Azam Khan, Hussain Asghar and Maqsood-ul-Hassan.

The committee will present its report in shortest period of time.

SC informed of second letter written to Swiss authorites

ISLAMABAD: Attorney General, Munir A Malik has informed the Supreme Court about a second letter written to Swiss authorities by the previous government.


During proceedings of the NRO implementation case, Malik informed the Supreme Court about the second letter written by the then Law Secretary Yasmin Abbasi. The letter stated that the government was not interested in reopening cases against President Asif Ali Zardari and sought a reply regarding the closure of cases from Swiss authorities.


The first letter which was approved by the Supreme Court was sent to Swiss authorities on November 5, 2012; however the apex court had not been made aware of the second letter.


The attorney general informed the apex court that the cases were closed by Swiss authorities on 4 February.


Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked that those responsible should be held accountable. Meanwhile Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry of the incident.