ISLAMABAD, Dec 24: The trial of former Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf on treason charges was delayed today after explosives were recovered from his route to the special court here.
At the outset of the proceedings‚ Musharraf’s counsel Anwar Mansur raised objections on the constitution of special court and appointment of the prosecutor. He said the former president could not appear in the court due to security threat.
The court asked the lawyer to file separate plea if there were security threats to 70-year-old Musharraf and then delayed the proceedings.
Earlier in the morning, a bomb weighing 5 kg along with two loaded guns were recovered today from the route Musharraf was scheduled to take to the special court.
The bomb was recovered near the National Institute of Health by Pakistani rangers during a security check. TV footage showed two black pistols and a bomb. However, the bomb was not live.
Musharraf’s trial is taking place at the National Library which is the heavily secured Red Zone here that houses all important institutions like the Prime Minister’s House, Supreme Court and the Diplomatic Enclave.
Musharraf’s efforts to wriggle out of a treason case had suffered a setback yesterday when a Pakistani court rejected his objections against the special court set up to try him.
Justice Riaz Ahmad Khan of the Islamabad High Court dismissed three pleas filed by Musharraf’s lawyers against the constitution of the special court and the appointment of three judges and a state prosecutor to conduct his trial.
The special court had summoned the former army chief to appear before it to face charges of high treason for imposing emergency in 2007.
This is the first time in Pakistan’s history that a former military dictator is facing trial for treason. If convicted, Musharraf could face life imprisonment or the death penalty. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel