Pakistan gov't seeks delay in verdict on ex-army chief

KARACHI, Pakistan

Pakistan's government on Monday filed a petition in the court seeking postponement of a long-awaited judgement in a treason case against the country's former military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf, local media reported.

The verdict is expected to be announced on Nov. 28, broadcaster Geo News reported.

In the petition filed in the Islamabad High Court, the Interior Ministry said it needed more time to submit its arguments in the high-profile case.

The former dictator is accused of suspending the constitution and imposing a state of emergency in 2007.

Musharraf, who was indicted in 2014, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The government move has come as a surprise for many as Prime Minister Imran Khan was in the forefront of the anti-Musharraf movement, which led to the ouster of the military ruler in 2008.

Musharraf, who has long been in the United Arab Emirates for treatment, also filed a petition seeking a similar relief claiming that he had been stripped of his right to defense.

The petitions will be heard Tuesday.

The former army chief, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, is also accused of being involved in the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, veteran Baloch politician Nawab Akbar Bugti and Islamabad’s Red Mosque cleric Abdul Rasheed.

He is reportedly suffering from a cardiac disease and has been avoiding appearing in different courts of law.

He could face death penalty if found guilty in any of the ongoing cases.