Pakistan SC forms bench to hear treason case against Pervez Musharraf

The bench will hear petitions in the case on Monday.

The court said that Musharraf8217;s lawyers had filed an application for constitution of a larger bench,seeking that the Chief Justice of Pakistan to consider important aspects of the matter and either constitute a full court or a larger bench to hear and decide on the petitions.

The government has not yet replied to the Supreme Court8217;s questions as to whether it wants to initiate high treason case against Musharraf.

Information Minister Arif Nizami,said the government is likely to submit a reply on Monday.

The Attorney General recently told the apex court that the mandate of the caretaker government is limited and that it wants to focus on the May 11 parliamentary elections.

Judges had however remarked that the caretaker government can initiate the case.

The Senate yesterday passed a resolution,calling for high treason trial of Musharraf for subverting the constitution when he imposed emergency in 2007.

The Supreme Court8217;s statement said the Chief Justice passed the order for the formation of a three-member bench to hear petitions for Musharraf8217;s high treason trial.

Five petitions,seeking high treason proceedings against Musharraf,have been filed in the Supreme Court. They all have now been clubbed.

Legal experts are of the opinion that the high treason proceedings could be initiated on the government8217;s plea.