Pakistan to seek Interpol help to arrest Musharraf
* ATC directs FIA to contact Interpol to bring former president back
* FIA investigator says no Pak-UK extradition treaty exists
RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to contact Interpol to bring former president Pervez Musharraf back to Pakistan in the Benazir Bhutto (BB) assassination case.
ATC Judge Rana Nisar Ahmed has already issued non-bailable arrest warrants of Musharraf three times.
The court observed on Saturday that since there was delay in the implementation of summons, why not those arrested in connection with the former prime minister’s assassination were released on bail.
Counsel for the FIA asked the court to declare Musharraf a proclaimed offender (PO). Upon this, the judge asked how come the court could declare somebody a PO.
The counsel said the court could declare Musharraf a PO keeping in view that its summons were repeatedly falling on deaf ears and the accused was not willing to show up.
The judge remarked that first implementation of the court’s orders was ensured. “Unless the court’s directives are implemented, the accused cannot be declared a PO,” he said.
Khalid Rasul, FIA’s investigation team member, informed the court that letters had been written to the British government in connection with the implementation of arrest warrants for Musharraf. “Although, there does not exist an agreement between the two countries under which the accused can be extradited, still there is a possibility that Musharraf can be handed over to Pakistan,” he said.
The team further told the court that a request had been submitted to the Ministry of Interior to bring Musharraf back to the country.
Upon this, the court ordered the team to contact Interpol to bring Musharraf back and adjourned the hearing till April 2.
Source: Daily Times
Date:3/27/2011
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