ISLAMABAD – A special court hearing high treason case against General(retd) Pervez Musharraf has given the federal government the go-ahead tosuspend passport and CNIC of the former military ruler.

“In case the accused fails to submit his written request as mentionedhereinabove the ministry of interior and all other departments, divisionsand agencies of the government of Pakistan are to take positive steps inensuring the arrest of the accused and attachment of his properties abroad,including suspension of the CNIC and passport of the accused,” readsfour-page order of the special court, a copy of which is available with *TheExpress Tribune*.

If the federal government suspends his passport and CNIC, Musharraf willnot be able to travel to any country.

The court had earlier directed the interior ministry to approach Interpolfor arrest of former President.

The three-member bench, headed by Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief JusticeYahya Afridi and comprising Lahore High Court CJ Yawar Ali and JusticeTahira Safdar of the Balochistan High Court, had conducted the last hearingon March 8. However, the written order was issued later.