Musharraf files moves court over treason trial

Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf Tuesday filed an appeal against the special court constituted to try him for treason.

The petition was filed in the Islamabad High Court against Justice Riaz Ahmad Khan's decision rejected all three pleas of Musharraf against the special court formed to try him for treason, Geo News reported.

Musharraf is set to appear before the special court Jan 1.

The petition, filed by Khalid Ranjha and advocate Faisal Pervez, alleged that the constitution of a special court is a conspiracy by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. Hence, it should not be allowed to function.

It also requested the high court to restrict the special court from working and said that Musharraf should get a chance of fair trial. Therefore, the trial should be carried out in a military court.

Earlier, Musharraf had raised objections over the appointment of judges and prosecutor for his trial in the special court.

Justice Khan had declared the requests inadmissible Dec 23.

The former military ruler is charged with abrogating, subverting, suspending, holding in abeyance, and attempting to conspire against the 1973 Constitution by declaring emergency and overthrowing the superior judiciary in 2007.

Musharraf had secured bail in four major cases against him but the trial for treason poses the biggest challenge to the former army chief.

This is the first time in Pakistan's history that a military ruler has been put on trial for treason.

If convicted, Musharraf could face life imprisonment or the death penalty.