Court asks hospital to submit Musharraf’s medical report

Former ruler was hospitalised after suffering cardiac arrest

The Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology has been asked by the special court to submit a medical report for the former president Pervez Musharraf’s health condition.

Musharraf, who is on a treason trial, was admitted to the military hospital in Rawalpindi after suffering a cardiac arrest on his way to the court.

The Islamabad- based special court said in its order that no arrest warrant was being issued for Musharraf due to the involvement of his lawyers and also as he hasn’t changed his residence.

The prosecution earlier re- quested the court to send someone to the hospital to read out the indictment to Musharraf so that the hearing could continue.

Akram Shaikh, the chief prosecutor in the case, said Musharraf had not come for any of the three sessions held by the court since the trial started on December 24 and therefore an arrest warrant should be issued against him.

Anwar Mansoor, a member of Musharraf’s legal team, opposed the prosecution plea for the same.

The defence team also plans to request the court to lift the travel ban on Musharraf if the doctors suggest taking him abroad for medical treatment.

The government said it will leave the decision to the special court if this is the case.

The treason case against the 70- year- old former president are for the actions he had taken as an army chief on November 3, 2007 when he suspended the constitution, imposed emergency and defied judges of superior courts.

The seven- month government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has initiated the case under the constitution’s article 6.

The punishment under article 6 is either life imprisonment or death for treason.

Musharraf seized power in 1999 in a military coup.