Pakistan court issues arrest warrant against Pervez Musharraf in Lal Masjid case

A Pakistani court has reportedly issued a bailable arrest warrant against former military strongman General (retired) Pervez Musharraf in relation to the murder case of Lal Masjid cleric Ghazi Abdul Rasheed.

Islamabad's Additional Sessions Judge Wajid Ali Khan presided over the hearing and turned down all the four requests issued by Musharraf's counselor. The hearing has now been adjourned till April 2, reported the Dawn. Musharraf's counsel had earlier questioned the jurisdiction of the court as a case pertaining to Lal Masjid is already pending in the Supreme Court. He had also asked for exemption from appearing in court for this case.

Police registered a case against the former president over the alleged murder of cleric Ghazi Abdul Rasheed and his wife during the Lal Masjid military operation in 2013. Musharraf is currently facing a slew of court cases dating back to his 1999-2008 rule, including the death of Ghazi, one of more than 100 people killed after Pakistani troops stormed the Red Mosque in Islamabad on July 10, 2007.