Musharraf's aides summoned for questioning

Pakistan's main investigation agency has summoned several of Pervez Musharraf's aides for questioning in connection with a case of high treason filed against the former military ruler.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has issued notices to former premier Shaukat Aziz, his principal secretary Khalid Saeed, former Law Secretary Ajmal Mian and seven others for their alleged involvement in the imposition of emergency by Musharraf in 2007.

The move has taken the investigation of the treason case against Musharraf into a 'a decisive phase', The Express Tribune newspaper quoted its sources as saying today.

The persons summoned for questioning were 'a party' to the imposition of emergency on November 3, 2007, according to official records.

FIA chief Saud Mirza confirmed that a notice had been issued to Aziz.

A joint investigation team will question Musharraf in connection with the treason case soon after Eid-ul-Fitr festival later this week.

After registering the treason case against Musharraf in June, the PML-N government formed a four-member committee to investigate the case.

Musharraf was arrested shortly after he returned to Pakistan in March after several years in self-exile. He is facing charges in several cases.

In its notices, the FIA directed Aziz and other aides of Musharraf to appear before a joint investigation committee to record their statements.

They were accused of abrogating the Constitution by imposing emergency and detaining members of the superior judiciary.

'We have served notices on all those government officials and politicians whose role has come into the light in the November 3, 2007 emergency for appearance before the investigation team,' an FIA official said.

Aziz has been living outside Pakistan since 2008 and the FIA sent the notice addressed to him to the High Commission in Britain so that it can be delivered to his residence in London, the official said.

The FIA will question all officials who were on duty when emergency was imposed. It will also question all former Governors and Chief Ministers to ascertain if Musharraf consulted them before imposing emergency.