Court issues arrest warrant for Musharraf in Lal Masjid case

A local court has issued a bailable arrest warrant against former military ruler General (retd.) Pervez Musharraf regarding murder trial of Lal Masjid cleric Ghazi Abdul Rasheed.

Islamabad’s Additional Sessions Judge Wajid Ali Khan presided over the hearing and rejected four requests issued by Musharraf’s counsel and adjourned the hearing till April 2.

Musharraf also requested exemption from appearing in court for this case.

In 2013, police registered a case against Musharraf for allegedly murdering cleric Rasheed and his wife during the Lal Masjid operation.

Musharraf faces a string of court cases dating back to his 1999-2008 rule, including the death of more than 100 people during the Red Mosque seige.

He further faces murder accusations over the 2006 death of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti and 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.