M A I N   N E W S

Judge refuses to hear Sharif case

KARACHI, Jan 12 (AP) — In a surprise move high court Justice Shabir Ahmed today refused to hear a case of treason and hijacking against deposed Premier Nawaz Sharif in protest against the presence of a large number of intelligence agents and army personnel in his courtroom.

Several intelligence agents were arrested, while others fled the courtroom, said eyewitnesses.

Mr Ahmed’s refusal to hear the case against Mr Sharif is a major setback for the army-led government, which filed the charges against the ex-premier and six other men, including his brother, Mr Shahbaz Sharif.

Mr Ahmed ordered that the case be returned to a lower court judge. But, the legislation which governs anti-terrorist courts, in which Mr Sharif’s case is being heard, requires cases be heard by a high court judge.

According to lawyers, Mr Ahmed’s decision effectively puts a halt to the proceedings.

Mr Sharif has been accused by the army that overthrew him on October 12 of refusing to allow the aircraft carrying Gen. Pervez Musharraf to land in southern Karachi. The army accused Mr Sharif of trying to kill the army chief.

Mr Sharif and his co-accused were brought to the court in armoured personnel carriers, surrounded by dozens of paramilitary Rangers and policemen. Mr Ahmed objected to the strong show of paramilitary troops and policemen.

One of the accused Mr Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former Chairman of the Pakistan International Airlines, was the first to complain about the presence of intelligence agents in the courtroom, said eyewitnesses. He told Mr Ahmed that his conversations were being monitored and recorded.

Mr Ahmed immediately ordered that the intelligence agents who were present in the courtroom, be arrested.

ISLAMABAD (AFP): Defence lawyers for deposed Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday challenged a contempt petition against the country’s former leader in the Supreme Court.

The case, reopened after Mr Sharif’s ouster, relates to the storming of the Supreme Court by a mob reportedly comprising leaders and workers of his Pakistan Muslim League (PML) party on November 28, 1997.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that the country had become isolated since his government was ousted last year and faced the threat of being declared a terrorist state.

“Pakistan has been isolated, its image has suffered,” he told mediapersons before a court appearance.

“Pakistan faces the threat of being declared a terrorist state,” he said.