*ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday asked the registrar of aspecial court to submit a report on the delay of former president General(r) Pervez Musharraf’s trial.*

A three-member bench of the SC headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan AsifSaeed Khosa today and issued notice to the Registrar of the special courthearing case against Musharraf over proclamation of emergency in thecountry. Justice Mazhar Alam and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah are other twomembers of the bench.

During the hearing, the chief justice remarked, “If the accused isdeliberately skipping to appear (in the hearing) it must not handicap thecourt.”

“An accused asked in his statement under section 342 CrPC, if he is agreedor not with the witness accounts. If the accused not appearing in thehearing then the *court should deem his reply in negative,*” Justice Khosaremarked.

The apex court ordered the registrar to submit report in the court within15 days. The court issued notices to Pervez Musharraf and the federalgovernment.

The respondents’ lawyers have been asked to appear in court at the nexthearing. “We will review how to move forward with the trial in the absenceof Pervez Musharraf,” the court said.