ISLAMABAD: A special court hearing treason charges against Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday ordered authorities to freeze the former president’s bank accounts and confiscate his property.
A three-member bench of the special court headed by Chief Justice Peshawar High Court Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel passed the orders over the non-appearance of the accused before the court despite repeated notices.
The three-member bench of the special court also adjourned the hearing of the case until the former army chief and president is arrested or he surrenders.
Justice Miankhel remarked that the court cannot initiate further proceedings in the absence of the accused. “According to law, the accused cannot be trialled in absentia,” he said.
He said the attitude of the accused left no option for the court, and the special court ordered authorities to freeze Musharraf’s bank accounts and confiscate his property.
Pervez Musharraf’s counsel said that his client is ailing and currently abroad for treatment. The counsel’s request to record his client’s statement via Skype was turned down by the bench.
