In his resignation letter sent to the interior secretary, Sheikh expressed his inability to proceed with the case after the imminent change of government at the Centre.
The Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) government had appointed him as head of the prosecution in the high treason case in November 2013.
Initially, Musharraf’s legal team challenged Sheikh’s appointment as chief prosecutor, but the special court constituted to hear the high treason case, as well as the Islamabad High Court (IHC), dismissed the challenge.
The special court indicted Musharraf for high treason in March 2014.
The prosecution laid its evidence by September same year.
However, following that, the special court could not proceed against the former ruler as the IHC issued a stay order.
And after that Musharraf left the country after the superior courts removed his name from the Exit Control List.
The special court then declared the accused a proclaimed offender and ordered the confiscation of his properties.
Earlier his year the special court resumed proceedings in the treason case and ordered that Musharraf’s computerised national identity card (CNIC) and passport to be blocked.
The outgoing PML-N government in May executed the court order and blocked Musharraf’s CNIC and passport.
However, Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar, during hearing of a case related to disqualification of Musharraf, allowed him to return and restored his travel documents.
Sheikh has repeatedly asked the special court to conclude the trial and issue a verdict in Musharraf’s absence, citing recent examples where the accountability court conducted trial against former finance minister Ishaq Dar in absentia.
However, after the July 25 general elections and the likely change of government, Sheikh said that it is the prerogative of the incoming government to engage a lawyer of its choice.
Sheikh has confirmed submitted his resignation to the interior ministry.
He has ruled out the possibility that any government withdrawing the treason case against Musharraf.
“It will be tantamount to aiding and abetting the accused person,” Sheikh said.
Musharraf’s All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) party withdrew its candidate in support of Imran Khan in the election for NA-53, Islamabad.
APML head Dr Mohammad Amjad had filed his nomination papers, but withdrew from the election in favour of the PTI chairman.