The Pakistan Government on Wednesday told a special court hearing the high-profile treason case against Pervez Musharraf that Interpol has rejected its request to arrest the former military dictator as it does not want to interfere in the cases of political nature.
The Government’s reply came as the tribunal resumed hearing in the treason case against the Dubai-based former president for suspending the Constitution in 2007 by imposing emergency. Musharraf, 75, has repeatedly refused to return to Pakistan citing security reasons. The Interior Ministry in its reply on efforts to bring Musharraf back to the country informed the court that a letter was written to Interpol to issue Red Warrant. But it returned the letter by refusing to interfere in cases of political nature. On August 20, the special court in Islamabad had summoned the interior secretary over non-arrest of Musharraf in the case despite issuance of non-bailable warrants against him.
“The Government had approached Interpol to bring back Musharraf, however, they rejected the request,” the interior secretary said. “Interpol officials had said that the high treason case does fall under their legal ambit,” he added. Further, Justice Yawar Ali questioned if Musharraf’s statement in the case can be recorded.
“Can the investigation move forward without the statement in the caseij” he asked. Adjourning the case till September 10, the court ordered that during the next hearing arguments be given over whether Musharraf’s statement can be recorded via Skype or the investigations can move forward without it.