Ex-president writes to interior ministry seeking removal of name from ECL.
PHOTO: AFP
The former military dictator, who, like Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family, enjoys close ties with the Saudi royal family, has written a letter to the interior ministry requesting that his name be removed from the Exit Control List (ECL). “General (retd) Pervez Musharraf is desirous of visiting Saudi Arabia to express his heartfelt condolences over the sad demise of King Abdullah,” reads the letter written by Advocate Faisal Hussain on behalf of the former president.
“That is why we have asked the government to remove Musharraf sahib’s name from the ECL,” chief coordinator of Musharraf’s All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Ahmed Raza Kasuri told The Express Tribune on Friday. He said the party was in contact with all stakeholders over the issue.
A close aide of Premier Nawaz said the government could consider the request seriously. “King Abdullah’s sad demise is something which matters greatly for Pakistan. The government might let him [Musharraf] fly to Saudi Arabia,” he told The Express Tribune. He added, however, that any such decision would be taken after consulting the ministries of law and interior.
Some believe allowing Musharraf to go abroad could provide the government and other stakeholders some ‘face saving’ as they move past an issue – treason trial of the former president – which has caused much friction between the country’s civil and military establishment.
According to political analyst Hasan Askari Rizvi, there is a strong possibility that Musharraf would be allowed to leave for Saudi Arabia. However, he said there would be a question mark over whether the former dictator would return. “The government will face harsh criticism if Musharraf chooses not to return. It will give the opposition more space to do politics,” Rizvi added.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2015.
COMMENTS (21)
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His going or not going depends on the whims of the Ruling Family. If at all he is allowed to go his return will be definite. He's got nothing to fear. His popularity has sky rocketed after the massive failures of the so called "democratic governments".
Commando training on how to escape!
@truthbetold: Don't believe you represent an iota of what name you chose. Your political party offered Musharraf many times to leave the country so they could continue to loot it, but Musharraf is not like NS to make a deal, run away, and then deny there was a deal, only to be shown the letter to his face by the Saudis and Lebanese benefactors. If Musharraf was the escaping type he would not have returned in the first place or taken the many offers by NS. He is a true patriot.
Musharraf lives like a king in pak despite everything NS has tried. All cases against him are politically motivated. His mother is now in pak with him. If he had to escape he wouldn't have brought her back. No one can stop the son of soil. Not these corrupt cowards..
The current Crown Prince Muqrim knows how untruthful Nawaz is ( Muqrim as the former Intelligence Chief had to show Nawaz/ Shabaz 's written agreement to run away to Saudi Arabia when they constantly lied about it )
Even if Nawaz stops Musharraf now, the Royal Family will put Nawaz in his proper place.
As for Musharraf once he goes he will certainly come back to Pakistan , his country. He is a true and honest leader
Sir perveez murshaffar is great man best leader in Pakistan after Quaid azam. Country was go right direction call him director is not word he is a best man.this is allset up to take his personal back.
why is it like that Miyan Nawaz Shareef will allow former general saab to go to KSA or not for offering his condolences to Saudi royal family on king's death ??????????
why can't law takes it own course.............
there should must be a solution from within the law not an extra-judicial one..............
former millitary-ruler and general should be allowed to leave for Saudi-Arabia only after grant of payroll by designated court..................
either Mushy's case cud be transfered to Millitary court for speedy justice..........under the 21st amendment.............
wow,what a return in exchange of enacting NRO...........
The Brave General wants to run away on some pretext or the other. First it was his mother's health & now death of Saudi King
Andada of NGO's getting off scot-free!!Perhaps he can leave his ex PM (aziz bhai) as security.
pervaiz musharraf zindabad jamhuriat murdabad
Go......Musharaff.........Go.
why not allow the man to be nterviewed by the American comedians as well. He is the most popular specie from the military?
Rex Minor
Where is our law for criminals?
Mian Sb did not escape the country with an open deal, he even denied such a deal until a Saudi backed Lebanese politician ran around with the deal in his hands. Main Sb cut a deal, left the country and party and lived a luxurious life in Saudi.
Musharraf should be allowed to go to KSA and let Saudi rulers know, first hand information, on how untrustworthy and corrpupt are Sharif brothers, who lived in exile on their Khairaat and Zakat.
@truthbetold: He will not run away,King Abdullah was like his elder brother.He is not takla Shareef who run away to Jeddah.
Was Shareef family allowed by then military dictator Musharraf to attend the burial of their father Mian Mohammed Shareef in Pakistan while they were exiled in Saudi Arabia? He(Musharraf) shouldn't be allowed to leave the country,he can very much condole on the phone if he likes..
@truthbetold: Do not worry, he will never escape. Had he ever wished to escape, no one could stop him, but he will stay in Pakistan for ever.
@truthbetold: Please at least act as your registered name suggests!!! All cases against Musharraf are politically motivated and had he wanted he could have used Saudis to get him out of Pakistan but instead he stayed back. He is not anything like your favorite politician Nawaz who made a deal to escape from Pakistan.
mian sb escaped away from country with open deal , what was that beyound low life
This guy is now using the death of the Saudi king as a good opportunity to escape Pakistan. This is worse than low life.