Musharraf's treason trial to begin tomorrow amid high security

Pervez Musharraf will be indicted in court on Friday with a special court conducting his treason trial, saying its earlier decision to summon the former Pakistani military ruler for the hearing remained intact. A three-member bench, headed by Justice Faisal Arab, is hearing the case relating to treason charges against the former president for the imposition of emergency rule in 2007. [caption id=“attachment_1366769” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Musharraf at an earlier court appearance. Photo courtesy: Twitter.[/caption] With authorities promising fool-proof security, Justice Arab today said the order to produce the former President in court on 14 March remained intact. Musharraf on Tuesday failed to turn up for his indictment in the court citing security reasons and was summoned again on Friday. This is the first time in Pakistan’s history that a former military ruler is facing trial. Musharraf’s counsel Anwar Mansoor, during Thurday’s proceedings, said he cannot make arguments since he was told to rest after being diagnosed with food poisoning. Justice Arab said the court could not coerce anyone to argue in a case. The judge said presenting an argument remained the prerogative of the defence counsel. However, he said the court could not stop the proceedings of the case even if Mansoor did not present his arguments for a month or two. Meanwhile, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) briefed the special court judges on the security alert issued relating to Musharraf. The intelligence agency said that the briefing was a routine matter. The ISI representatives told the judges that the latest alert was issued after a call had been traced in relation to a possible attack being planned against Musharraf. The men who briefed the judges after the hearing was adjourned said the threat to Musharraf’s life was real. Militant groups had been planning to attack Musharraf,  they said. Yesterday the court had sought a briefing from the agency which had issued the threat alert hours before Musharraf’s scheduled indictment in the high treason case. Musharraf’s security plan for tomorrow’s hearing has been finalised, media reports confirmed. Only cleared personnel will be deployed as part of Musharraf’s personal security detail. All individuals will have to go through a security check before entering the courtroom. Mobile phones, tablets and laptops have been disallowed inside the court premises. PTI