Sindh High Court declares Musharraf a 'proclaimed offender'

Karachi, Aug 10(ANI): The Sindh High Court (SHC) has declared former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf a proclaimed offender for not appearing in court despite several notices.

A division bench of the court, headed by SHC Chief Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani, issued the order while hearing a petition by Maulvi Iqbal Haider.

Haider in his petition had contended that a case should be filed against Musharraf under Article 6 of the Constitution.

The petition accused the former President of violating the constitution, illegal usage of national resources, damaging the federation and soiling the state's reputation, The Dawn reports.

The court has ordered to publish advertisements in British and national newspapers directing Musharraf to appear before the court.

Several cases are pending against Musharraf in courts across Pakistan, and the UN enquiry commission's report also held his regime responsible for the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in December 2007.

Reports regarding Musharraf's return to the country have been doing the rounds in the media for a long time now, but it is believed that he is unlikely to take a flight back to Pakistan amidst demands for his high treason trial, particularly from the main opposition party's (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif. (ANI)