Despite the Islamabad High Court's (IHC) order, a special court hearing treason case against former President General (retd) Pervez Musharraf has said that it will announce its verdict in the case.
During the hearing by a three-member bench headed by Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth, the bench said that it was not bound to implement the IHC's decision. "We are only bound by the Supreme Court's orders," the bench said.
The bench said that it would not comment on the high court's decision. The IHC further said that Musharraf could record his statements any time prior to the next hearing. The hearing has been adjourned till December 5. The high court has ruled that it would hold hearings on a daily basis after December 5.
On November 19, the special court had concluded its trial and ruled that a verdict would be announced on November 28 on the basis of the available record. However, the interior ministry's petition was accepted by the IHC which barred the special court from announcing the verdict. A similar petition was also filed by the former president's lawyer, which was disposed of with the court issuing directions on it.