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Pak court pulls up govt on Pervez Musharraf departure

A special court in Pakistan hearing a treason case against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on Thursday resented his departure from the country after his name was removed from the exit control l

A special court in Pakistan hearing a treason case against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on Thursday resented his departure from the country after his name was removed from the exit control list this month.

Justice Mazhar Alam asked if the federation was unaware of the special court’s order in the case. State counsel Akram Sheikh said the federation was informed about the court’s order.

The three-member bench summoned interior secretary Arif Khan and ordered to file an explanation over Mr Musharraf’s departure within 15 days.

Mr Musharraf was bann-ed from leaving Pakistan in March 2013 after he returned to the country on an ill-fated mission to contest elections. He was barred from taking part in the polls and instead faces a barrage of legal cases.

In January, Mr Mush-arraf was acquitted over the 2006 killing of a Baloch rebel leader. Last June, the Sindh HC had lifted Mr Musharraf’s travel ban, but the federal government appealed the verdict.

But four cases against him remain — one accusing him of treason for imposing emergency rule, as well as those alleging the unlawful dismissal of judges, the assassination of Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and a deadly raid on Islamabad’s Red Mosque.

Last June, the Sindh high court had lifted Mr Musharraf’s travel ban, but the federal government appealed the verdict.

The Supreme Court upheld the Sindh high court decision and ordered the government to allow Mr Musharraf to travel.

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