Court rejects plea by Musharraf for treatment abroad

ISLAMABAD: A court trying Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf for treason refused to allow him to go abroad for medical treatment, saying it had no authority to lift his travel ban.
Musharraf’s spokesman Raza Bokhari condemned the decision.
“In ignoring the expert medical report of a distinguished military hospital, the special treason court has not only shown inhumanity and insensitivity toward General Musharraf, but also has demonstrated unprecedented disregard of the medical profession, principles of basic fundamental rights and preservation of life,” he said.
Musharraf has been in a military hospital since falling ill with heart trouble while traveling to the special treason tribunal on Jan. 2 and his lawyers had argued he needed specialist treatment abroad.
The 70-year-old is facing treason charges, which can carry the death penalty, over his imposition of a state of emergency in 2007 while he was president.
On Friday, the court directed him to appear at the next hearing, on February 7, and ordered him to pay bail of 2.5 million rupees or face arrest.
There had been speculation that Musharraf would be allowed to go on medical grounds as part of a deal to head off a clash between the government and the military, which is seen as reluctant to have its former chief tried by civilians.
The former general’s name is on the official “exit control list,” meaning he cannot leave Pakistan.
After hearing medical reports from the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi, where Musharraf is being treated, the court said it was not in its power to let him leave.
“It is not in the jurisdiction of this court to allow him to go abroad for treatment, because his name is on the exit control list,” the order read by a court official said.
Musharraf was originally summoned to come before the court on December 24 but has yet to put in an appearance, due to security scares and ill health.