Islamabad: Pakistani prosecutors are expected to ask a court to launch proceedings for impounding former President Pervez Musharraf’s assets following his failure to respond to charges against him in connection with Benazir Bhutto’s killing within a 7-day deadline that ended on Wednesday. Judge Rana Nisar Ahmed of the Rawalpindi-based anti-terrorism court had given Musharraf time to respond to charges levelled against him after declaring him a “proclaimed offender” or fugitive on May 30.
The court had directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to print advertisements in national newspapers giving details about the designation of Musharraf as a proclaimed offender and this was done on June 1, officials said.
The advertisements clearly mentioned that the court had set a seven-day deadline for Musharraf to respond to the charges levelled against him. The deadline had expired today, officials said. Musharraf, currently living in self-exile outside Pakistan, has not submitted his response to the court and no lawyer appeared on his behalf before the judge.
He was declared a “proclaimed offender” for failing to cooperate in the investigation of Bhutto’s December 2007 assassination.
The advertisements further said that if Musharraf did not appear in court or appoint a lawyer to appear on his behalf, steps will be taken to impound his moveable and immovable assets.(PTI)