Former president Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
RAWALPINDI: Former dictator and arrested suspect Pervez Musharraf was granted bail in the Benazir Bhutto murder case, reported Express News on Monday.
The court ordered Musharraf to submit two surety bonds of Rs 1 million each even though the FIA prosecutor suggested that Musharraf should be made to pay Rs 1 billion for the bail.
Musharraf’s lawyers argued that this was a political case and the responsibility of Benazir’s security lay with the officers on duty, not Musharraf.
Another arrested suspect in the case Abdur Rasheed Turabi was denied bail by the court.
Pervez Musarraf is now at the centre of two cases, the illegal disposition of judges’ case and the Akbar Bugti case.
Musharraf’s lawyers plan to apply for bail in the judges’ detention case on May 22.
Safe exit for Musharraf?
PML-N sources said there was growing sense within the party’s ranks that Musharraf’s presence in the country and his possible trial could distract the new government from pressing issues. Therefore, if the former president is allowed to leave the country under the pretext of his mother’s ill health or any other reason, the party should not object to it.
While it is clear what the Sharifs intend to do, one party leader said: “If Musharraf leaves the country before the government takes charge, it will be a win-win situation.”
Reportedly, a message has been circulated within the army that Musharraf will be allowed to leave the country soon. The ‘message’ was conveyed in a bid to pacify growing unease within the army over the trial of its former chief.
Read more: Behind closed doors: Nawaz, Kayani agree on ‘policy overhaul’
COMMENTS (56)
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Wonder if the murder of the poor prosecution lawyer in this case couple of weeks ago...who kept saying he had enough evidence to prove Musharaf's involvement is linked to the decision or Nawaz's trip to Saudi Arabia where our Saudi brethren might have patched up things to give the suspect a "safe exit".
@Rex Minor: Come across many of your comments on et,always full of anti musharraf rhetoric,you obviously hate the great man,he dealt with the Islamic terrorists,you seem to have a problem with that,all Islamabad needs is good governance by a strong leader like musharraf. Negate all you like about musharraf,you can't take away all the good he did for Pakistan,people like you blame honest corruption free leader for all the ills in the country,ppp&pmln coalition did not know how to govern so let's blame Musharraf for everything,many years ago in Saudi Arabia government forces stormed makah,killed hundreds of terrorists, nobody objected Saudi action.Doors of Khana Kaaba have been open 7 times for patriotic Musharraf.
@Rex Minor: What did you try to imply in ur last comment? I fail to establish relevance between the things you mentioned. They taught you something wrong at ur school, dude! :-)
@Naim: And Ibrahim (pbuh) offered the most loved one as a sacifice to be allowed to build the first House of God. Musharaf is directly responsible for violating the sanctity of the House of God.! The city named Islamabad is a condemned town for eternity and will not experience peace again.
Rex Minor
Am I the only one who finds the Benazir Murder case against PM extremely ridiculous?! shame on the judiciary! I have no faith in the law of this country;,it is as if two kids are taking revenge from each other over a broken toy!
@Naseer: Thanks to the massive media hype and coverage for the last 18 months since ex pmln&mush etc politicians joined his bandwagon,otherwise he would not have got the popularity boost.People did not back him before due to no media hype,you underestimate musharraf,due to 4years of bias media&corrupt politicians spreading lies propaganda regarding mush tenure incidents,a lot of people have been led to believe lies,even Imran khan went around spreading women&children we're killed in lal masjid,lal masjid commission released the report recently,no women children we're killed,the media just brushed it under the carpet,the media never highlighted all the good work Musharraf did for Pakistan,it and the corrupt just brainwashed people into believing lies,Musharraf will rise again he has many supporters,another thing media has spread he has no support.
Time for Musharraf to run and spend his days in exile, while we continue to battle the problems he created for Pakistan. History will indeed judge him a failure despite his uninterruted tryst with power.
@Cynical: The basis on which I support Musharraf that irrespective of not being a democratically elected leader, his policies led to improvement of common man's quality of life, Higher Education, economy and many other things. Besides, I admire him how he handled even the most hostile international media and never shied away from facing tough questions. On office or out of office, he was always ready to defend our Pakistan. Never been accused of financial corruption and nepotism wasn't as exaggerated as during democratic times. And despite all threats, he came back to Pakistan to defend himself in the courts of law, and Insha Allah he shall come clean. And I thank you for your words of appreciation. But I think you misunderstood me for somebody else cos this is the first time I used this nick Observer. :-)
@Harry Rex: Lol.... But he's a minor...will remain a minor.
@Cheema: This act was shabby as well, but I thouht we were talking about the discipline military, not the civilian!
Rex Minor
SC-CJ just wants to come into lime light. HE can not do anything against former COAS.
@Observer
It is one of the rarest of rare instance, when I agree with @Rex Minor and disagree with you. But I commend your parting shot at Rex Minor i.e. "Let's agree to disagree like civilised people." That's more like the person I have come to know you through all your comments on different pages so far. Regards none the less.
@Rex Minor
What are you talking about. Nawaz Sharif ordered the plane to land in India to handover the Chief of the Army Staff to India. Do you think any Pakistani could accept this, let alone the army.
@Rex Minor: lolz! I'd still say you need to learn what the phrase 'military traditions' mean. Seeing that you are extremely opinionated, it's pointless making an effort to change ur views. Having said this, let's agree to disagree like civilized people. :-)
@Observer:
Then you have learnt very little in 25 years military service. He was appointed as the chief of staff by the civilian elected Govrnment of Nawaz Sharif and later got fired by the Prime Minister! He organised a rebellion with the help of military subordinates, this tantamounts to TREASON in a country of law and is punishable by death.sentence. Instead he removed the democraticaly elected Government with military assistance and appointed himself as the chief. He later rode roughshod on the judiciary, had chief justice removed from the office, all this is unheard of from a disciplined military officer and a sham for the Pakistan military as a whole. This assssment is regardless of whether he has proven to be a good leader for Pakistan or whether he is guilty or innocent of the charges he is accused of and is currently facing.in th court of law. He should know what a honourable military General would undertake in present circmstances. Perhaps you could advise him of the last act if you know of the military traditions.
Rex Minor
@Rex Minor: Have seen a number of your posts. You're racially obsessed! Why
So a no name story by Web Desk starts of with "former dictator and arrested suspect". Mind you he is former "President of Pakistan". It does not behoove a national newspaper or magazine to resort to taking cheap shots. It only maligns the paper not the former President.
Musharraf lost most of his fame due to Imran Khan's popularity. Musharraf's party could have won just a few seats but nothing big due to many reasons. Why the ECP kept him out of elections when there was no verdict against Musharraf? This shows how corrupt ECP is; judiciary is another story.
musharraf will not leave the country. that is below his dignity and honor. any rumors to that effect are only mean to create confusion. PM will stay in pakistan, fight the cases, and then look to public life inside pakistan, with his family.
As you sow, so shall you reap. Means: musharaf let the Nawaz fly, now Nawaz will let musharraf fly. While big brother, Saudi Arabia, is watching.
ALL these fabricated cases against the great Hero of our country will fall like house of cards. When he resign from the precedence he stayed in the country no one has the Guts to file the cases . After he left than only these Hippocrates waked up. God save the great .
Most shameful day today.... Now musharraff will rush to airport directly from jail in order to 'save' NS government and himself. This is win-win situation..
The real Tiger came out from Cave,,
So far, everything is happening exactly as per my comments posted on ET ie from day one onwards when Gen Musharraf was arrested. Hope there is no twist in the predictions made and the former President leaves Pakistan without a scratch.
@Rex Minor: ROFLOL @ what you mentioned; dishonored military traditions. Do you have any clue what military traditions are? I've been in uniform for 25 yrs and I have a fair idea what our customs & traditions are. Musharraf is the best leader Pakistan had and it's a pity he's been victimized by fabricating politically motivated cases against him.
exile him or many big fishes will be bucket full of trouble
Fake cases against Musharraf have no feet.
Shuker ALHAMDULILLAH, an innocent man finally gets the Bail. Musharraf is the Best man for Pakistan!
This guy is an outlaw, dishonoured the military traditons and disgraced his adopted country! Let Nawaz Sharif keep away from his many affairs as long as he can and let the law of the land deal with it. He remains a security risk for the country.
Rex Minor
@Maher
You mean judges are working for Nawaz Sharif?
soon Musharaf will get released,,,,,,,the people will know the innocence of The great leader Musharaf.....realities will be exposed,,,,,,,,people will go with musharaf,,,,,,,,,and he will lead Pakistan again. Insha Allah.
Before the Sharif's could take over, he will be flown out of the country giving face saving exit to Musharraf. Judiciary's institution has been tarnished due to vengeance spree of these vindictive so-called saviours of Judiciary.
this shows you that inspite of having majority in parliamen , mr nawaz is still that little rfrightened man he has no guts to face army. He can not stand for justice . upto now he has been firing the gun from zardaris shoulders Now see you all he has bo guts
Worth of an ex PM: 2 million rupees. He ll be back to london very soon.
Great job army, you are more important than constitution, law and Pakistan. Nobody wants to pursue this case after knowing the fate of the late prosecutor's fate, not the newly elected representatives or the judiciary. Not even the plaintiff for the "greater interest of the country". Everyone is sooooooooooooo patriotic to save Pakistan.
Bravo... Great Great.... News.... Love you Mush love you madlyyyyy.....
time has flipped!
First of all there was no case against Musharraf. All the dishonest people wanted an honest leader to punish for his honesty, but will fail.
Politically fabricated cases have no merit - will be blown away by wind of truth.
Now Musharraf should not leave the country in any case. If he will stay in Pakistan then his chances in politics are bright. The moment he leaves the country, he will be out from the politics.
@Maher: and still people claim that we have a free and independent judiciary.
Here is Kayani's visit to Model Town Judicial Result........:) AZAD ADLIYA????
Next. The judges trying Mush will resign for health reasons !!!!!
The Only MARD-E-AHIN in Pakistan, Musharraf a true Pakistani.
@ Maher Are you confirming that the judiciary is in his pocket.
@Maher: No..it has nothing to do with Kiyani & Nawaz meeting... it was sure that Musharraf will get bail and yes he will get out clean from all these politically motivated cases very soon.
What army want is the fair trial of General Musharraf... they can't leave a man behind who served the Army for 43 years...
MQM or PTI are only platform available in future otherwise relax and no need for lecturing in fools paradise
I said it earlier and will say it now... Nawaz Sharief should not press any charges, or judiciary, or police or state against Musharraf... he should behave in respectful manners and leave the cases against Musharraf on to the Judiciary.....
There will be complete madness if PMLN tried another misadventure.. if PMLN Govt started high treason case against Musharraf... it will lead to consequences under which Pakistan Army ..I say again.. Pakistan Army ..took action on ground to sack Nawaz Sharief government while Musharraf was in the air...
Thus.. case will start from 1999 first for high jacking the plane with 250 people on board including Army chief and endangering their lives....and army will be defending it.
Ch. Shuja't formula: Mitti Pao exactly applies here.... Nawaz Sharief is blessed with Premiership, let Musharraf fight his cases with Judiciary, just don't interfere.
COAS meeting with NS has brought fruit.
Judiciary is simply wasting it's time...and running its reputation on National & International level..... How can a president responsible for someone killed in Rawalpindi.. if you go with this pattern.. Zadari is also responsible for the killing of every Pakistani since he became the president.
People had little trust in Judciary but by convicting General Musharraf and keeping him out of the elections had put a question on the neutrality of Courts in Pakistan.
If it had to come to this anyway, why was the hit ordered on the prosecutor a few days back? Just because they get some sadistic pleasure out of making widows and orphans?
Kayani met Nawaz Sharif and Musharf's bail got approved.. hmm Good :)
Beginning of the end!
I think you mean "while it is UNclear what the Sharifs intend to do"
Great leader, will come out clean. Shame on judiciary for politicizing and taking revenge.