Armymen in court -- Irked judge refuses to hear Sharif case

Armymen in court -- Irked judge refuses to hear Sharif case
KAMAL SIDDIQI

ISLAMABAD, JAN 12: The Nawaz Sharif trial took a new turn on Wednesday when a High Court judge refused to hear the case, protesting the large number of intelligence agents and army personnel in his courtroom.

High Court Justice Shabir Ahmed ordered the arrest of two of the intelligence agents, while others fled the courtroom, eyewitnesses said. ``I cannot dispense justice in such an atmosphere,'' the judge is reported to have stated.

Ahmed's refusal to hear the case against Sharif was a setback for the Army-led government, which filed the charges against the ex-premier and six other men, including Sharif's brother, Shahabaz Sharif.

``We were taken by surprise,'' said Raja Qureshi, prosecutor and attorney general. ``But the judge has exercised his power. He has the power to assign the case to any other judge. We respect the law.''

Ahmed ordered the case adjourned until January 17 and returned it to a lower court judge. The legislation governing the anti-terrorist courts, in which Sharif's case was being heard, demands that a High Court judge preside but Qureshi said Ahmed can waive that requirement.

Iqbal Raad, Sharif's lawyer, said: ``We have been asking that the trial be open but instead the courtroom has been packed with intelligence agents. The judge did the right thing.'' Sharif has been accused by the Army of refusing to allow the aircraft returning General Pervez Musharraf to Pakistan to land in southern Karachi. The Army accused Sharif, overthrown on October 12, of trying to kill the army chief.

Sharif was brought to the court in armored personnel carriers, surrounded by dozens of paramilitary officials and policemen. Ahmed objected to the strong security presence.

One of the accused, Shahid Abbasi, former chairman of Pakistan International Airlines, was the first to complain about the presence of intelligence agents in the courtroom, said eyewitnesses. He told Ahmed that his conversations were being monitored and recorded. Ahmed immediately ordered the intelligence agents who were present in the courtroom arrested after the court doors were shut and an armed court official helped the judge carry out his orders.

Sharif has steadfastly maintained his innocence. He has accused the Army of hijacking democracy and of fabricating the charges to justify the bloodless coup.

Meanwhile, the first US legislators to visit Pakistan since the coup said they will will seek a timetable for a return to democracy, a US Embassy spokesman said on Wednesday.

The four Democratic Senators Tom Daschell, of South Dakota, Christopher Dodd, of Connecticut, Harry Reid of Nevada and Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, are to arrive on Thursday for a two-day visit.

Discussions with Pakistani officials will try to determine when Pakistan will return to democratic rule, said a US Embassy spokesman.

The United States was muted in its criticism of the military takeover of October 12, calling only for a timetable for a return to democracy.Musharraf has refused to set a date saying his agenda is a lengthy and difficult one. According to the General his priorities are to try to heal the country's ailing economy and clean out a deeply corrupt system.According to a Pakistan foreign ministry statement issued on Wednesday the four Senators will meet ``the Pakistani leadership,'' with whom they will discuss ``important bilateral and multilateral foreign policy and security issues.

``The US Senate delegation's visit is important as it would be the first Congressional visit after the change of government last October,'' said the foreign ministry statement.