The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned the hearing of identical petitions seeking high treason trial of former President and army chief General Pervez Musharraf till July 03. A 3-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and comprising Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan was hearing the case.
Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Munir A Malik did not attend Friday's proceedings due to prior commitments. Deputy Attorney General said it was reported in the media that a verdict had been reserved while Ibrahim Satti, Musharraf's counsel, said he thought that hearing had been adjourned.
Justice Khawaja clarified that the case hearing was being conducted almost on a daily basis and observed that confusion might have arisen in the matter as the order was not written during the last hearing.
During the course of proceedings, Malik Qamar Afzal, one of Musharraf's counsel, pleaded to advance verbal arguments in the instant matter, but the bench turned down his request.
The bench ruled: "Malik Qamar Afzal, ASC wishes to make oral submission, which prima facie, do not appear reasonable because we are adjourning the case; however still if he wishes to make submissions, let him do so by filing a formal civil miscellaneous application".
Justice Khawaja remarked that fair and free trial would be ensured in the current matter as a fundamental right of former President Pervez Musharraf being citizen of Pakistan under Article 10-A of the Constitution. The hearing of case was adjourned till July 03.