Musharraf plea rejected

Pakistan's former president and military ruler Pervez Musharraf, center, leaves after appearing in court in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Wednesday, April 17, 2013. Musharraf appeared in court to seek bail in Benazir Bhutto's assassination case. Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered Musharraf to respond to allegations that committed treason while in power and bared him from leaving the country only weeks after he returned. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

The Islamabad High Court on Monday dismissed a writ petition filed by former Pakistan President General (retd.) Pervez Musharraf challenging the constitution of a special court to try him for high treason. The petition filed on Saturday had also contended that since Gen. Musharraf was an army officer when he imposed the emergency in November 2007, he has to be tried by a military court under the Pakistan Army Act 1952.

His defence counsel Mohammed Ali Saif told The Hindu that the court also dismissed two other petitions challenging the three judges appointed to the special court as well as prosecutor Akram Sheikh for the trial.

The special court has summoned Gen. Musharraf on Tuesday for the treason trial but Mr. Saif said it was still unclear whether he would make an appearance or not.