High treason case: LHC issues notice to government

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday issued notice to the federal government for Tuesday on an application of former president General Pervez Musharraf (retd) praying the court to declare trial proceeding pending before a special court as unconstitutional.

The petitioner also challenged the constitution of special court, appointment of prosecution team as well as all actions against him for initiation of high treason complaint.

Earlier, the court asked petitioner's lawyer as to why the second application was submitted when a petition was already being heard in the LHC. Musharraf's counsel said this was a miscellaneous application to halt trial court's proceedings.

The counsel and the law officer in response to a query about formation of a full bench in the matter said the court had nearly heard the entire matter and there was no need to form a bench. The court also decided to hear the main petition and rose for the day.

The petitioner's counsel stated the complaint against Musharraf had been filed on the direction of then prime minister who in isolation was directly aggrieved by the act of petitioner. He argued that the complaint had been filed without adopting procedure and approval of the cabinet as required under the law. He said all the questions involved the matter needed to be decided by the court and the special court was required to be stopped from proceeding further.