Pervez Musharraf on the way to Special Court – Treason Case Hearing

RAWALPINDI / ISLAMABAD: Former president Pervez Musharraf is on his way to the Special Court from the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC)

A three-member bench, headed by Justice Faisal Arab will hear the treason case today.

Pervez Musharraf  faces treason charges under Article 6 for suspending, subverting and abrogating the Constitution, imposing an emergency in the country in November 2007 and detaining judges of the superior courts.

The 70-year-old retired general is currently hospitalised at AFIC in Rawalpindi. He was rushed to the AFIC and admitted there over a month ago, after he complained of chest pain en route to the court.

Security measures at the Special Court have been beefed up in anticipation of Musharraf’s appearance in court today, in compliance with an order issued on March 14, demanding his presence – enforced or voluntary – in the dock.

Islamabad police have covered their bases; a four-member committee has been formed to escort the former president from the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) – where he has been admitted since January 2 – to court. Security passes have been issued to a select few only and a police team has been formed to arrest the retired general and bring him to court in the event that he refuses to appear voluntarily.

According to media reports, Pervez Musharraf  was shifted to the AFIC’s Intensive Care Unit yesterday after his blood pressure spiked. A member of Pervez Musharraf ’s team, Advocate Rana Ejaz, who was removed from the special court for his ‘contemptuous conduct’, was quoted as saying that Musharraf was shifted to the ICU.

Earlier the court had issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for the retired general if he failed to appear in court on March 31.