Mohammad Akram Sheikh, the prosecution head, submitted his resignation letter, leading to a halt in the proceedings of the high treason case against former Pakistani military dictator retired Gen Pervez Musharraf.
This comes after Sheikh expressed his inability to proceed with the case after the imminent change of government at the Centre. Sheikh mentioned in his resignation that the next government could engage a lawyer of its choice.
Talking to Pakistan based newspaper Dawn, Advocate Sheikh confirmed that he had submitted the resignation to the interior ministry. If the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) wanted to continue with the case, it could engage a lawyer to proceed with the case, he said.
He, however, ruled out the possibility that any government may withdraw the treason case against Gen Musharraf.
“It will be tantamount to aiding and abetting the accused person,” he said.
In November 2013, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government had appointed Akram Sheikh as head of the prosecution in the high treason case. Initially, his appointment had been challenged but the special court and the Islamabad high court had dismissed the challenge.
In March 2014, the special court indicted Gen Musharraf for high treason and by September, the prosecution provided the evidence. However, the proceedings could not be carried out as the IHC issued a stay order and Musharraf left the country leading to his name being removed from the Exit Control List by superior courts.
He was then declared as a proclaimed offender and his properties confiscated. Earlier this year, proceedings were resumed and the accused’s computerised national identity card (CNIC) and passport blocked.
However, Gen Musharraf was allowed to return and restore his travel documents by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar.
