Musharraf fails to appear before special court hearing treason case

Former Pakistan president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf did not appear before the special court hearing the treason case against him.

The court resumed its proceedings, days after it warned that it would issue an order against Musharraf if he failed to appear before it on Jan 16.

According to Dawn News, the court comprises of three high court judges - Justice Faisal Arab of the Sindh High Court, Justice Tahira Safdar of the Balochistan High Court and Justice Yawar Ali of the Lahore High Court - and is headed by Justice Arab.

Musharraf's counsel, Anwar Mansoor, said his client could not appear in court due to poor health.

In a reply submitted to the special court, Mansoor said doctors have recommended Musharraf to be treated at a hospital in France.

On Jan 9, the special court had rejected the excuse of his absence on medical grounds and summoned Musharraf on Jan 16 for indictment.

The three-judge court had said in an order on Jan 9 that it was clear that the accused has failed to obey and comply with the order of the court, the report said.

According to the report, the court had also warned that it would issue an order against the former army chief if he failed to appear before it on Jan 16.

Musharraf has yet to appear in person before the specially convened tribunal, missing hearings due to security fears and the health scare.

Musharraf's camp has said the treason allegations, which relate to his imposition of emergency rule in Nov 2007, are politically motivated, and his lawyers have challenged the authority of the tribunal, the report added.