ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday rejected former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s request for travelling to Saudi Arabia to condole late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz's death.
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah had died on Friday and was replaced by his half-brother Crown Prince Salman.
Musharraf had filed a request last week. The incumbent Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government was considering to accept Musharraf’s request.
“Yes, the government rejected Musharraf’s plea today, saying they are unable to entertain the request to remove his name from the Exit Control List (ECL),” confirmed Faisal Chaudhry, the counsel for Pervez Musharraf. About his new plan, he said: “Our legal team will decide about our next steps how to pursue this matter.”
The former strongman, who enjoys close personal ties with the Saudi rulers, had asked for his name to be lifted off the exit control list (ECL) - a list that bars a person not to leave the country without taking prior permission - by writing a letter to the interior ministry last week.
“Musharraf is desirous to visit Saudi Arabia to express his heartfelt condolence on the sad demise of King Abdullah,” reads the letter written by Chaudhry to ministry of interior on behalf of the former president.
This week, senior leadership of the PML-N held marathon meetings in Murree and Islamabad to discuss the issue. Although some senior leaders were in favour of letting the former military ruler to visit Saudi Arabia, PM Nawaz asked Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar to put the matter on the Supreme Court, a senior official privy to the development told The Express Tribune.
Hence, the interior ministry rejected his request, claiming that since “Musharraf was barred from the apex court not to travel abroad, we are unable to lift his name from the ECL,” he explained.
He, however, made it clear that the decision was taken in consultation with the law ministry as it involved legal complications as well.
Last year, the Supreme Court had suspended Sindh High Court’s verdict on removing Musharraf's name from the ECL.
“The bench granted leave to determine whether the principle of merger can be applied in this case. In view of this order, the name of Pervez Musharraf will remain on the ECL,” Musharraf’s counsel Chaudhry Faisal Hussain commented on the court’s short order.
The Islamabad High Court has already been restrained a three-member special court, which heard Musharraf’s treason trial case to pursue this case till further order. The government, many believe, does not seem interested to pursue his trial case as prosecution team refuse to prosecute other abettors beyond Musharraf.
COMMENTS (15)
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Millitary court is the only option left . Go there for immidiate releaf . As an ex service men you have full right to go there and appeal for justice to question all the blashphemers .
.......and the government shoots itself in the foot...once again.
The SC says it is upto the federal govt and federal govt is shifting to SC....what sort of democracy and justice is this ?
@Chacho: Where are cases of money laundering and rigging against ppp in collaboration with establishment?
Musharraf you are a civilian now. Army has better things to do then get you out of trouble every now and then. Fight you own battles like a man and don't hide behind your colleagues.
at last raheel the man will accomplish this as in routine doing the job
So he is not i'll anymore. Good lets start with the cases.
Good decision. He can go but only after court sets him free like a common man.
The guy did not even show up at the Saudi embassy which is the official protocal for offering condolence by the common man!Somewhen should tell him that the House of Saud does not even entertain political leadership of the opposition!!
Rex Minor
Salute to NS. Atleast now we know he is not a coward and makes no deals with army come what may.
Looks like the Bald Headed LION still hasn't learned his lesson. I guess there is more drama to come.
Need New province in Sindh. For Muhajjirs.
ET how long will you keep censuring this comment? About a new Muhajjir Province.
What a shame Nawaz Sharif!
Ideal case to see effectiveness of kangro courts
this gov is the dumbest govt ever