Musharraf's bail was set at two surety bonds worth one million rupees each. PHOTO: AFP
RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistani military dictator Pervez Musharraf can leave the country and fly to Dubai following a decision by a court to grant him bail ending his house arrest, his lawyer said on Wednesday.
"The jail staff present at his house will pack up and leave as soon as they get the orders from the lower court," Ahmed Raza Kasuri, who heads the Musharraf defence team, told Reuters.
"Musharraf can fly to Dubai tomorrow once these legal formalities are completed."
Earlier in the day, Musharraf was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the murder case of Baloch chieftain, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.
His bail was set at two surety bonds worth one million rupees each.
On September 27, the SC had refused to grant bail to Musharraf in this case.
Akbar Bugti was killed in 2006 in a military operation in Balochistan and a case was registered later in 2009 against Musharraf.
The Balochistan High Court (BHC) had turned down the former army chief’s bail plea in the Bugti murder case after which the case was brought to the Supreme Court.
Nawab Akbar Bugti was a veteran Baloch nationalist leader and former chief minister of Balochistan. Musharraf was president and army chief in 2006 when Bugti was killed during an army operation.
COMMENTS (107)
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Whatever happens Gen Musharaff can't be punished in any case....If they do so, public will come out of their homes in his support, and NS wouldn't want that.
"It is impossible to defeat an ignorant person in an argument." - William McAdoo
@np: Do not misquote if you speculate! Yes, those who kill other humans must account for their crimes. Though shall not kill is the commandment of the creator!!1
@grinz09: No I do not know about the late journalist statement in his book. It has no relevance. The mosque is the house of God and is meant for those who seek mercy from God. its sanctity was abused by the Indian born head of the State!! He deserves the punishment in my view to serve Lal Masjid mosque for a period of not less than that of his dictatorship. Perhaps I may remind you folks that the Ibahimic religion was born when the God of Ibrahim allowed the building of the First House of God in Mecca.!!!.
Rex Minor
PS Musharaf has been rearrested because of the Lal Masjid debacle and loss of life, the Breaking News on the able net work.
We may never know what really happened that day but I hope that the truth will come out and that justice will prevail. This will forever plague the Pakistani justice system had they made the wrong decisions.
@gp65: Good to hear from you and pleased that you are decent and formal enough to reply back. I am glad that i have added something to your knowledge. the thing i said about ECL - You are right that US and EU dont have ECL. But in Pakistan anything can happen. Musharraf when he was in Jail he got many offers from USA and Saudi to leave Pakistan but he refused. So him being on ECL won't matter as his guarantors know how to get him off ECL. The thing you said about elections is absolutely wrong. APML is a new party and our Leader was in Jail and he couldn't stand in elections so his party Boycotted from the general elections. So please again if you don't know about something please refrain from commenting about it.
Mr. Pervez Musharraf, it's now time to apologize on the mistakes that you made, and you have the guts to do that.
@007: Courageous reply my brother. Please do not send him overseas permanently but let him rest awhile, and then come back to reinterpret the meaning of democracy and progress. Salams
@New Start: I wonder how the 'criminal' in the Sri Lankan cricket team attack was set free.Did the prosecution fail to prove its case,or the 'criminal' prove his innocence
How about if he mans up and stays in the country and face the charges like a soldier ?
@Niazi: Yes: but not only murderers cowards and traitors like Gen Niazi also go scot free in the Pakistan. MUsharraf never tried to escape. He is facing all cases like a brave man. If there is no eveidence aganst him than surely he will be a free man and indeed he is. And a word for Hamid Mir: Mr. dont get so personal with Musharraf. There are thousands of journalists in Pakistan seem roaming around every street here and there but Musharraf is the only one. PLZ forget the classic insult of New York.PLZ PLZ PLZ.
The lion is out, who dares to stop him!
@Rex Minor: Salim Shahzad, the renowned journalist who was brutally murdered said in his book which came out after his passing away said "Lal Masjid is an Al Qeada cell". Note Salim Shahzad had been researching the Taliban And Al Qeada factor for years and also having spent lenghty periods of times in the mountains with them.
The point is that the Lal Masjid operation was to liberate the "house of God' from these deadly people. And not the way you keep on saying with your 'holier than thou attitude'. Get an education!!!!!
"Zinda Bhaag" starring Parvez Musharraf.
@Gulbadan: ROFLOL!!! Too late! Am happily married and no plans to commit same 'mistake' again. But thanx for the offer. Had a really good laugh. God bless.
@Zain: Good judgement! Ofcourse from a layman(non-legal) point of view. If you did that forecast from India then I appreciate the time and effort you have put on it.
Bugti was no less a murderer and openly confessed to raping women. He was no angel, Musharraf handled him very badly. He should have dragged him to court. SC has done a good job in allowing Musharraf bail. We couldn't hold Hussain Haqqani to account, what with Musharraf. He shouldn't be made a scapegoat. . The disgracd Maulvi who escaped in a Burka, the height of cowardice got acquitted, how can we convict Musharraf?
@007: Well said bro, well said.
@007: I could not have agreed more to what you have said. Marry me.
@Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Wahab Ashrafi: your name is longer than your comment
@Niazi: *This is the dilemma of this country that the murderers get escape with honor and the poors are filling the jails. Mushh is involved in massive and brutal crimes and the suspected in murder of Bughti, BB and innocents in Lal Masjid operation. How come he got bail from apex court. Seems like another NRO..Shame on this country. You cannot call Musharraf a murderer unless he is proven guilty so don't get too judgmental here. If you thinking killing terrorists in lal masjid and not protecting a militant who was against the state of Pakistan and last Bhutto was killed cos she didn't follow the security protocol. So your useless statements against Musharraf are false and i think you mindset is of the TTP who are killing us today.
@tera baap: Are you being serious ! Don't listen to other ghail people. For gods sake learn to spell and get your facts right. In army operation the President of Pakistan is not responsible. So you better learn before you comment.
It will be like trampling the Pakistan's judiciary, he should stand trial and be exonerated by the court if he is Innocent of all these charges. A precedence must be established to bring these Bonaparte to justice who are ever ready to take over a democratically elected government by the barrel of gun. I believe in the supremacy of the constitution and the Constitution must prevail if this scenario of taking over by force is not to be repeated in the future.Let us not forget what he has done to the Superior judiciary of Pakistan just to perpetuate his illegal rule in the country. Only coward commando General will run away from facing the music and this is fact.
General Mush served the country well during his tenure. Is it not a shame such a man is thrown into jail and now being hounded. Is this what patriotism and duty gets in return?
Good to hear his voice again - he remains to be the most intelligent and sincere leader of the country. His voice will disturb many but favors masses. Come out of your Den :) he has saved the country yet again. This person deserve lot more than we are giving him.
This is just a pay back from Nawaz Sharif because Musharraf let them leave country in 1999 now they let him go out .... I was bound to happen
@Khalid:
there was a severe security threat and people decided to actually go to the mazar e quaid where he was to go speak. that was later cancelled because of the intel on security threat.
@Zee Paki
Let me give you further lesson in LAW... :-) According to Pakistani law.. (and the whole commonwealth law) its NOT innocent until proven guilty... Once the Police Arrest you .. you are GUILTY and you have to prove your innocence.. Hence the second handcuffs go on you you are addressed as the "CRIMINAL" (MUJRIM) not as the "ACCUSED" and you are treated as a criminal the concept of Innocent until proven guilty is a US Legal concept.
@Zara: Akbar Bugti death was accidental not ordered However Even if he was killed on purpose there was every justification for it.State has to deal with anybody who incites violence and takes up guns against the state.This is equally valid for Talibans as well.
No one can escape the wrath of the creator if he has caused the deaths of so many. The Khaki dress is not recognised in the kingdom of God. Before he appears on Edgware road and loafs about with arabs in Ice Cream parlours, he should be taken to Lal Masjid and the place where BIB was gunned down!!
Rex Minor
@Feroz:
Mr. Musharraf is only accused of murder and it is not proven yet.
@Mengal:
Balochistan is suffering because of the feudal living in there. They take the money from the central govt but does not spent on the people. The govt of Balochistan is responsible for all the problems the Baloch people face. Even after 65 yrs there are no good infrastructure, Not many hospitals, schools, industry etc. All the money received from the Central govt goes into the pockets of govt. people. Can Mr. Mengal care to let us know how Gen Musharraf is responsible for what he has said. Just giving a statement is not enough.
@Arif:
I hope its not a deal for not coming back. I doubt Musharraf will agree to such a deal.
Now run, run, run. Musharraf you are in the line of self-created mire!
@gp65: It is perfectly possible that the court may acquit Musharraf in the Akbar Bugti case for the reasons you stated. However considering the fact that the FIR is for murder of Akbar Bugti, then the question posed by Feroz is quite legitimate i.e. can someone get a bail when they are being tried for murder? If read the news then you would know that he had been granted bail on the murder . Yes bail is granted on murder if you knew the basics of law ! PLEASE keep in mind he is guilty until proven. On a separate note, he was placed on the Exit COntrol Checklist – so technically it would not be possible for him to leave the country and go to Dubai as claimed by his lawyer. **This is PAKISTAN , not EU OR USA. When sharif left he's name was on Exit control list aswell. but somehow he left so open you eyes to see the reality.Or you can act like an Ostrich and close your eyes to ground reality
Last thing - I am quite worried to see what you wrote cos you don't know how legal process works. thats why i guess you are amazed. Do some learning before commenting.
this freelance media continuously misleading the public by writing repeatedly Bugti was killed in Military Operation,he went to cave and set there with lot of explosive around who was behind him charging to behave so was never disclosed by this media,and secondly 100s of people were killed in Lal Masjid army operation even Imam e Kaaba could deliver peace,who was behind building situation never disclosed by this media.In both case included restoration for CJP campaign was run by a team just to declare Pakistan a fail state so far they trying hard and they wont succeed.
It is just the fate. He gifted India Kargil then ousted the prime minister who made him COAS and saved his skin. He suspended the judiciary. He claimed to overhaul policitical and economical condition.
What is end result 1) India came politically, militarily and economically stronger. In many sense, he opened gate of America for India. 2) Nawaz Sarif is again PM albeit powerless 3) Same supreme court is deciding his future. 4) And Pakistan, in a great mess
@Khalid: Oh is that so.. If the airports road wasn't blocked with containers and if he wasn't barred from going to Marza e Quaid then you would have seen his support. Atleast he is a well known international leader who can speak among thousands of people unlike any leader of ours. U guess you are NS supporters who forgets English in China. I bet you try and get NS popular of Facebook or Twitter . Oh international media would know who he is ?
Congratulations to All the Pakistan's Patriots. Long Live Musharraf. Long Live Pakistan.
@p r sharma: I can read you know thats why i commented. I didnt say that Musharraf case is closed so please... I know what bail is so don't tell me what i have written !
@Zara: Akbar Bugti was laying mines all over the place killing his own people in bus loads, killing and kidnapping Pak soldiers, defying Pak Laws n constitution. What do you expect a selfless and honorable leader would do? Sit back and watch like our current political leaders are doing?
@Arif: What are you trying to say ? Get to the point please. He was a militant who had 10,000 loyal to him . Who used to fire 500 rockets at Sui and FC , When army went into the cave to arrest him he fired a rocket and KILLED HIMSELF along 4 SSG commandos embraced Shahadat.
@Rex Minor: Let me give you a lesson in law: Innocent until proven guilty. If the bugti action is just that, and there is no evidence that he was murdered (if you take up arms against the state, the state has a right to take lethal action, that too is your today's lesson in law), then surely the ACCUSED has a right to bail. Please educate yourself further. Peace.
Word on the street is he's landed a software engineering job at Facebook (first Pakistani to do so), so he's probably leaving for India to sharpen his Python chops.
He is not going after signing a deal with his opponents like Sharifs and BB. Pakistan ka Allah hi Hafiz hai.
@hamza khan:
I have the feeling too.. the person who has been on every inch of Pakistan... can't and will never leave the country. Even if he will go, it will be dire situation of his mother's illness and he will be back.
Badly scripted drama..........but played out as was predicted. Nothing changes for the better in Pakistan.
ETBLOGS1987
@Malik Hamza: "@Feroz: Are you really serious ? Judging by your midset all the Mullah in Lal Masjid and terrorists were freed. And please get your facts right – Bugti was a militant who was against the state of Pakistan and he was killed in an army Operation."
It is perfectly possible that the court may acquit Musharraf in the Akbar Bugti case for the reasons you stated. However considering the fact that the FIR is for murder of Akbar Bugti, then the question posed by Feroz is quite legitimate i.e. can someone get a bail when they are being tried for murder?
On a separate note, he was placed on the Exit COntrol Checklist - so technically it would not be possible for him to leave the country and go to Dubai as claimed by his lawyer.
I don't care one way or another because the crimes he is being tried for relate directly to Pakistan and have no bearing on India. But I am just surprised at what I am reading.
The end of musharaf in Pak politics, ha ha ha
somehow i have a feeling he's not actually going to leave.
Mush is killer man
This is the dilemma of this country that the murderers get escape with honor and the poors are filling the jails. Mushh is involved in massive and brutal crimes and the suspected in murder of Bughti, BB and innocents in Lal Masjid operation. How come he got bail from apex court. Seems like another NRO..Shame on this country
If General (R) Pervez Musharraf is granted bail and is permitted to leave Pakistan by the Court of Law then people should not have any objection on it.
Again it entirely depends on General Musharraf to remain in Pakistan, it should be entirely his option, as being a Pakistani, General Musharraf has all the right to live in Pakistan.
He may also opt to shuttle between Pakistan and any other foreign courtry as he may wish, if the court of law has permitted him to do so.
Let's not raise objections on General Pervez Musharraf just for the sake of raising objections.
Genral Pervez Musharraf is a law abiding citizen and he has made himself at the disposal of the law prevailing in Pakistan.
His sincerity with the nation caused him hardships. A man free of any corruption charges. A brave army man with the history of expelling state enemy and crossing into their border. A man who is praised by other countries of the world even enemies can't resist praising him. Pakistani nation doesn't deserve him. He should leave them with their loving leaders Zardari, Nawaz Shariff, Molna Diesel and others.
This is a sham! How can one get a bail in murder trials and then to be allowed to leave the country?
Rex Minor
I am still confused where was this fan club when Musharraf landed in Karachi. Only 2-dozen people were at airport when he arrived. these people are talking to elect him, but not ready to receive him at airport. Strange. Better elect him as Facebook/Twitter President. atleast he would have support there.
You will be missed Mush.Don't go back please.
Musharraf can only be convicted for imposing 2007 emergency.
2002 parliament and supreme court indemnified the 1999 coup. Bugti's killing as well Lal Masjid falls under executive authority ( he was the legally elected president) and for Benazir's murder the most they can charge is that he did not provide her security for which a smart team of lawyers can easily defend him.
However the 2007 emergency can come back to haunt him as messing with the constitution is treason but the court will have to go by the precedent of 1975 imposition of emergency in India and how their courts dealt with it. The most he can expect is a suspended sentence plus being barred from participation in politics.
Here's a novel idea - rather than give him bail why not put him on trial? No country in the World would give Musharraf bail without having him surrender his passport. If Musharraf leaves the country it will reinforce Pakistan's reputation as a country who has a corrupt judicial system.
@Malik Hamza: - Musharraf has been granted bail, neither acquitted nor the case is closed. He has to appear before the court on the next date of hearing . If he prefers to remain absent on the next date in the court please note his political life will be finished . Deliberately he has been given an opportunity to escape or to remain in Pakistan( and bear the risk to face Taliban without the police cover)
Earlier people of Pakistan were chanting 'go Zardari go, and now Apex court would grant him a free passage asking him- 'Go Musharraf go, but please don't come back to trouble us'.
Me thinks Mush will not be back. The SC and the establishment might have struck a deal to let Mush slip of the country and spare the establishment the embarrassment of having its ex-chief convicted in a civil court.
Although, not an AMPL or Musharraf supporter. But what this man has done for this country, we can never repay him for it. The true son of soil. Jiye Musharraf
Not a NRO?
I firmly believe that mustafa kamal + musharraf chemistry will surely work !
Musharraf please leave this country, there is no justice here, whole judiciary is sold out. Pakistan doesn't deserve a great leader like you. Please go and enjoy ur life.
http://www.economist.com/node/7121811
This is Bugti for you guys
Mush God bless you. We are idiots we dont deserve you. Have a good life and enjoy.
I guess the only way to place him in jail is to charge him with Blasphemy? Never have understood why most people accused of blasphemy have to sit in jail while an accused murderer gets to sit in a luxury home and now he he's free to travel anywhere.
@Wahas Ahmed: One wonders if Baluchs are a human society and a part of the civilization!
@Malik Hamza: How right you are. Check the Nawab's last interview, boasting "I am taking up arms, to fight Pak army". NOBODY (certainly NOT President Musharaf) came to his palace to fight him, rather this 80 year old man himself embarked on a suicidal mission.
@Mengal: @Wahas Ahmed: Real Balochs, I am sure will be pleased at the verdict, and yearn for the day when the former president returns to power, as their protector from the tyranny of sardars. Long live Baloch people, and long live Pakistan.
Mengal who??? Some people cannot like anyone who stands up for Pakistan (including Balochistan, as part of Pakistan).
@Wahas Ahmed: Real Balochs, I am sure will be pleased at the verdict, and yearn for the day when the former president returns to power, as their protector from the tyranny of sardars. Long live Baloch people, and long live Pakistan.
Wooooow this is one is a great news. I hope, we will see him on TV soon. We really miss you a lot sir and we love you....
Long Live PM....
In an interview with Christina Lamb the brave Nawab said:
“What is better than seeing your enemies driven before you and then taking their women to bed?”- Nawab Akbar Bugti
Finally Sir am always positive and will remain, though an inspiration and a Leader. Jiye Musharraf Pakistan zindabad Paindabad
Very Good News. God bless him and protect him form all evils, either political or terrorists
Thanks the Allmighty Allah ! Finally truth prevails. Long alive Gen Saab Musharraf Allah app ka hami o nasir ho !
@Mengal: All this you just said is your own thinking probably feeded into your brain by some ghail person. if you were to use logic then you wouldn't have said what you said.
@Feroz: Are you really serious ? Judging by your midset all the Mullah in Lal Masjid and terrorists were freed. And please get your facts right - Bugti was a militant who was against the state of Pakistan and he was killed in an army Operation.
Happiness is... when Sir Musharraf still stand strong
@Mengal: Balochistan has been victimized not only by Baloch feudal lords but as well Z.A. Bhutto who started military operation during his reign.
@Zara: Elimination of traitors and terrorists is not a mistake.
Alhamdulillah - a good news on a bad day! I hope Musharraf will be able to interact with family members and supporters and can come up on TV as well. Miss him so much.
But who will give bail to the SC...
Is he a free man now? Please comment on this.
Haters will hate it, but Musharraf era was far better than these so called democracies. We, as a nation do not deserve leaders of Musharraf or Imran Khan's qaulities and sincerity. We deserve Zardaris, Sharifs, Dastis, Firdous Awans, Altafs and that 'Degree-Degree-Hoti-Hay-Guy! A salute to Musharraf for being so courageous that he came back to Pakistan despite knowing what awaited him, and I wish that he gets his name cleared and says Good Bye to this place and settles in some civilized part of the world.
May Allah be with him always and shower His blessings upon him. We all pray for his early release.
Very vey good news.!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Masha Allah Justice has prevailed . Noe there should be re eelction and Musharraf will be the winner and bring Pakistan back to track Insha Allah
Shukur AL HAMDULILLAH!
Sanity prevails finally
Is murder a bailable offense in Pakistan ?
He's a murderer! A sane murderer who ruined Pakistan by running a state like an Army Barrack. We are still suffering by what he has done. Suffering at all parts of Pakistan and not just Balochistan. It started from there.
They can try, but cannot keep a good man down for ever. Sure, as choice of the masses, he will be back at the helm of the government. Pakistan FIRST, always.
This is not a complete story ET!
Akbar Bugti case is musharraf's biggest mistake ever
Great timing!!! It's about time to have a leader who does not fear terrorist or does not keep a soft corner for them!!!!!! We need him not those who have subsided with the evil!
Yea lets go ahead and put his head on a spike, and lets keep letting Maulana Burkha Aziz of lal masjid and the likes of him go free. Very nicely done, only in Pakistan. :)
What are Balochs supposed to feel now. Earthquake victims get no relief, and now this guys walks free! Hail Judiciary
But who will grant bail to the CJ?
Musharraf will be back. He will win over and take things back in control... GOOOO MUSHHH!!