Islamabad: Pakistan has approached
France-based Interpol for a Red Corner notice against former
President Pervez Musharraf, seeking his arrest and extradition
to the country over his alleged involvement in the
assassination of ex-Premier Benazir Bhutto.
The Interior Ministry has forwarded the request to the
Interpol Secretariat through the global police organisation`s
representative in Pakistan, the Dawn newspaper reported today,
quoted sources.
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) senior prosecutor,
Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali, said a letter had earlier been sent to
the Director of Interpol (Pakistan) by the officer leading the
investigation into Bhutto`s assassination in 2007.
The formal request states that 68-year-old Musharraf, who
has been living in self-exile in Dubai and Britain since 2009,
is an accused in the case.
The investigating officer handed over to the Interpol
director in Pakistan investigation reports, copies of
statements by then director-general of ISI`s
counter-intelligence wing Javed Iqbal Cheema and former
Intelligence Bureau director general Ejaz Shah, US-based
journalist Marc Siegel`s email to Bhutto and copies of orders
issued by an anti-terrorism court.
The letter sent by email to Interpol Pakistan on February
2 stated: "Secretary General of Interpol Secretariat Lyon
(France) is requested to issue `red warrants` for Pervez
Musharraf, former President of Pakistan, and arrest him
through Interpol. A copy of red notice may please be furnished
to this ministry."
The email mentioned the computerised national identity
card number of Musharraf.
In minor cases, countries generally take a lenient view
even after the issuance of Red Corner notices and avoid
extraditing the accused, prosecutor Ali said.
However, in cases related to terrorism and murder,
governments assist each other, he said.
Since Bhutto`s assassination case was registered under
section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code (related to murder) and
sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act related to serious offences
of terrorism, Pakistan is expecting an "immediate and positive
response" to the request for arresting Musharraf, the report
said.
But Ahmer Bilal Sufi, an expert in international law,
said a Red Corner notice was not a replacement for extradition
arrangements.
"It is only an intimation of `wanted man` of a country to
other countries," he said.
Since there is no extradition treaty between Pakistan and
Britain, the latter is not legally bound to extradite
Musharraf even if Interpol issues the Red Corner notice for
him, Sufi said.
PTI
