Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: REUTERS
The former president had reportedly sought permission from the government to allow him to travel to Saudi Arabia and personally offer his condolences to the royal family over the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. He had apparently filed a written request with the Interior Ministry in this regard.
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However, yesterday the Prime Minister’s Office denied that the government had received any such application.
“A spokesperson at the Prime Minister’s Office Saturday clarified that they have received no application from the former president Gen Pervez Musharraf for permission to travel abroad,” read a short statement issued late on Saturday night.
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Musharraf’s name had been placed on the exit control list (ECL) by the government because he is facing a number of trials including for committing treason and the murder of former Balochistan chief minister Nawab Akbar Bugti — in which he was indicted last week.
The APML urged the government to "stop using politically orientated delaying tactics" and to allow Musharraf to travel.
Musharraf’s political adviser Chaudhry Sarfraz Anjum Kahlon called upon Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif “to raise above politics of revenge and to put Pakistani relations with Saudi Arabia first by permitting the former President to offer his condolences to the Saudi royal family in person."
Describing the relationship between Musharraf and the late King Abdullah, Kahlon said, "Musharraf considered King Abdullah as his noble older brother and as a strong leader who made significant contributions to promoting prosperity and stability in the region".
"In the event that the government does not oblige our simple request for a visit to Saudi Arabia, this will be at the expense of Pakistan's diplomatic and brotherly relationship with one of its closest allies," he added.
Further, the adviser assured the former president would return to Pakistan if granted the permission to travel to Saudi Arabia.
"Musharraf would shortly thereafter return to Pakistan and continue with the process of clearing his name from all politically motivated cases."
COMMENTS (6)
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Commando is not leaving any chance to run away from the country. I remember that once he said, that "There is no problem in Pakistan, if anyone wants a foreign nationality, he run away from Pakistan, took asylum and say, my life is in danger in Pakistan " Now he is getting the "fruits"of the system which he was defending for 8 years. DO NOT LET HIM GO, Let him face all the charges and then let him go or give this to every Pakistani as well.
@oBSERVER: No, I was talking about your beloved musharraf, who broke the constitution and is now looking for an exit strategy .
@Blithe: Are you talking about yourself?
He is no longer a serving member of the government. He should be treated as a normal citizen. As long as he is on the exit control list, he should not be allowed to exit the country.
Everybody knows that Nawaz Sharif is small-minded, mean and revengeful. So, he does not really have to go around proving that every now and then.
He is actually a long lost son of King Abdullah . Please, he needs to go