former President, Pervez Musharraf, addresses his supporters after his arrival from Dubai at Jinnah International airport in Karachi March 24, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
A defence source told The Express Tribune that the General Headquarters (GHQ) - the military headquarters- wrote a letter to the defence ministry seeking security for its former chief.
The source said the defence ministry forwarded the request to the interior ministry, which would ensure proper security for the former president.
Musharraf, who ended his four-year self-imposed exile on Sunday, has been threatened by the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
In a Taliban video obtained by Reuters, Adnan Rasheed, who took part in a previous attempt to assassinate Musharraf, warned him of dire consequences upon his return.
However, it is not clear if the army sought enhanced security for Musharraf on its own or at the request of the former military chief. When contacted, a spokesperson for All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), Asia Ishaq said that Musharraf, as a retired army chief, was entitled to security from the military.
However, she claimed that the Pakistan Army took the initiative on its own and not at the request of Musharraf.
She expressed satisfaction over security measures put into place for Musharraf’s arrival in Karachi on Sunday. She confirmed that the army personnel, along with police and other law enforcement agencies, were providing security to Musharraf.
Talking about upcoming movements of the APML leader, she added, “We face a real challenge in Islamabad and Lahore and we are analysing at the moment the level of security we may require.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2013.
COMMENTS (41)
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He should be put behind the bars and tried under article 6 of Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He should also be placed under ECL so that he may not run away out of the country. His entire property should be confiscated and disqualified from taking part in the elections.
Musharraf can afford his own security since he has more than US$ 100Million lying in Union National Bank of UAE http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-30227-How-did-Musharraf-become-a-billionaire Not to mention about rest of the wealth (of this former military dictator) hidden in western banks!
the good things i remember about musharref tenure: great diplomacy great shutup calls to indians whenever required booming business-only business men will agree booming economy-facts available by international economic commentators dollar/rupee-depreciation in 9 years-from 45 to 54 rs-see what PPP has done in 5 years eye for an eye to extremists karachi/lahore/islamabad development HEC and its sholarship-best education policy-plz see indian fear of HEC progress universities,colleges,schools-i have seen them boom like anything ......his follies are too less the only big mistake he made was against the judiciary-rest was ideal for Pakistanis
@saleem:
Those who denegrade the sanctity of the House of God has no place in heavens. He is condemned for all times to come!!! Truth has no logic!
Rex Minor
@Green Tiger: Illegal? How so? The same CJP of Pakistan signed on his indemnity! If the Supreme Court of Pakistan legitimized his rule, then its only illegal in a debate sitting in a drawing room. In a court of law, Musharraf is fully protected and considered a legal Chief Executive and President of Pakistan!
Musharraf bashers. Has any ruler ever been punished in Pakistan. Did anyone asked to punish Yeaha khan, bhutto,Ayub,Iskander Mirza,ghulam Mohammad, Zardari or Nawaz sharif ?? why Musharraf ?.
Mr. Musharraf is not going to make a dent in current elections, I am convinced. Having said that, he was much more of a leader than the whole recently dissolved parliament combined. I wish him well, and thank him him for a good few years I lived in peace during his tenure. Thank you 'dictator' Musharraf.
As I expected Musharraf has started India bashing upon arrival http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-is-financing-terrorists-in-pakistan-says-pervez-musharraf/1/259278.html Political expediency to survive in Pakistan
@Rex Minor: Bizarre logic!
Let the best candidates be elected in an honest manner in the coming elections.
@ H Zee Bhutto met the tragic fate because the natural Law of Retribution came into action against him for his active involvement in the military action against Bengalis of former East Pakistan to prevent the winning political party from assuming power in Islamabad.
@bravo:
The man who survives multiple attacks means that in the Kingdom of heavens, he has no space. He should go to Lal Masjid, the house of God and ask for forgiveness!
Rex Minor
Musharraf deserves the same level of protection as he gave Bhutto.
When Benazir Bhutto landed back in Pakistan was she given the same level of security by the then sitting President ?
@H: Because there are protocols to follow. It has to be approved by the interior ministry.
Ummmm .. isnt it the army's job to provide security .. to both the nation & its officers. Why are they asking the government???
Welcome back Sir Pakistan Need you badly.
All shameless people who have been repeatedly saying that Musharraf would never come to Pakistan are now hiding their faces. Musharraf is not hypocrite unlike other so called leaders.
Geo Musharraf.
@bravo:
"The Tiger of Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has survived multiple attacks and iA future attacks will also fail. We are with you sir to liberate Pakistan from extremists and banned terrorist outfits."
Pakistan has no tigers. Pakistan only has snow leopards.
Jail is the safest and most secured place for Musharraf and he should be put there at there at the earliest before any untoward incident takes place.
Long live Musharraf. He has done wonderful things for the country. The Army should provide him security. He did not murder anyone, He eradicated terrorists. Learn to have broader perspective. Long live Musharraf. Watch this for all you Lal Masjid sympathisers. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=532744670110150
IF BHUTTO WAS HANGED ON ACCOUNT OF ONE MURDER ALLEGATION THEN MUSH SHOULD'VE BEEN 100 TIMES. Whatever MUSH,s supporters say but truth is that significant part of our budget goes for defense which can't even be discussed in assemblies but our media and courts only talk about civilians incompetence they never ever dared to show the other side of picture in fact they're scared of establishment i know my comment might not get published but still i didn't hesitate expressing myself...!
Musharaff, the former commando will take the country back from its people, the war the army seems to be good at.
@nadeem: Also members of the SC bench which gave him legal cover and unlimited authority to amend the constitution.
Anticipatory bail by same courts that were demanding his trail is a real joke and proves that Pakistan judiciary is not independent but takes instructions from time to time. Or they are highly political.
Musharraf is not a good businessmen or not a businessman at all and can make full use of abundant resources of Pakistan.
Before falling into the sea of emotions, I would like to remind you guys of one his MANY blunders, yes, the NRO. Current government was his farewell gift to the country. I can never respect such a man and expect no one to do so. Wake up people. It is your ignorance that these people take advantage of and then leave you whining at the end.We have to collectively, as a nation, snap out of the illusionary world created by the status quo. Otherwise, worse days await us beyond the horizon.
so they wouldn't use my money to protect me but Musharraf from the great warrior tribe known as Pak army deserves full protection. who are 'they' to decide where taxpayer's money shall be spent?
@nadeem: ' the taxpayers of Pakistan' ? Does such a group even exist? Before castigating a great leader think about the tough decisions he has had to make in a challenging time for Pakistan. Many a lesser man would have faltered ... As we have seen in the last five years.
Mush may have come to claim his retirement package from the Americans, that they usually give to dictators after they are of no use to them. remember saddam hussain???
a great nd brave soldier of a nation never die, he can be retired or martyred the sake of his country. once a soldier will always be a soldier. god bless u sir musharraf our nation
@asim: Police Service of Pakistan is for security of ordinary citizens.
It is laughing stock, that a distorted mind involved in numerous murder cases and a slayer of his own people is owned by establishment. Shame, shame.
Illegal President seeks legal presidential protection.
The best thing army has done in a while !
We must protect General (R) Musharraf as we are protecting our nuclear assets in Pakistan.
General Sahib is also an asset and he should be provided a fool proof security round the clock while he moves or address any public gathering any where in Pakistan.
May Al-Mighty Allah save you General Sahib and all of your family members from evil forces that are bent upon destabilizing Pakistan. Ameen.
When Musharraf was outside the country the courts asks UK and Interpol to arrest him and send him to Pakistan to face trials. Before Musharraf arrives in Pakistan, the same courts grant him anticipatory bail. Pakistan's courts and its judiciary is a laughing stock in the world. Awara Adiliya.
He was a usurper of power. He should be put in a jail cell and tried for treason. That's the 'security' he deserves from us taxpayers of Pakistan.
I am against Musharraf and what he did, esp at the end of his power. But the fact of the matter is that he knows the most intimate/highly classified secrets of Pakistan and is a living past leader of Pakistan. He can not be allowed to be taken hostage (since secrets can be revealed) nor can he be allowed to be killed (reflects worst that we cant protect those that we say we will (yeah, I know the irony of that statement is known to me as well)). He should be given the protocol and security detail of an ex-prime minister, no matter what you think of the man.
what about security of ordinary citizens?
The Tiger of Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has survived multiple attacks and iA future attacks will also fail. We are with you sir to liberate Pakistan from extremists and banned terrorist outfits.