Musharraf likely to return, face special court next month

Former military ruler is set to make Karachi a hub of his political activities on his return

KARACHI: All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) chief and former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf is likely to return in the beginning of the next month after he gets an assurance of provision of foolproof security by the federal government.

The former military ruler is reportedly consulting his close aides about making Karachi a hub of all his political activities on returning to Pakistan, sources told the Roznama Express on Friday.

The development comes hours after the special court hearing a high-treason case against Musharraf gave the federal government the go-ahead to suspend passport and CNIC of the APML chief.

The court had earlier directed the interior ministry to approach Interpol for arrest of former president.

The APML is all set to give its leader a warm welcome on his return in Karachi and Islamabad, said the sources, adding that a massive public gathering would also be organised in Karachi in this regard.



The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government is reviewing Musharraf’s application for security and a decision is expected soon in this regard.

The sources, however, added that the former military ruler may also decide to postpone his return if the circumstances suggested it to be a better option.

In the wake of recent orders by the special court and the forthcoming elections, the APML leaders have advised him to return to the country at the earliest.

The senior party leadership has been advised to attend an important meeting on March 21 in Dubai, where a final schedule of Musharraf’s return would be decided with consultations.

The central president of APML, Dr Muhammad Amjad told the Rozanama Express that despite his expected return in the beginning of April, Musharraf would only be able to appear before the court in the hearing after the forthcoming one.

Ahsan Iqbal gives Musharraf one week

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said that on assurance by Pervez Musharraf that he is returning to Pakistan, the state institutions have been asked to hold action.

If he did not return in a week, implementation on the court directives will start, he added while speaking to a private TV channel on Friday night.

"General Musharraf has told us through his counsel that he is ready to appear before the court and we hope that he will attend all the hearings of the court and express his commitment to the judicial system and the rule of law like former prime minister [Nawaz Sharif]."