Ailing ex-president Musharraf ‘wants to spend rest of his life in Pakistan’

Former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, who has been living in Dubai since 2016, has expressed his desire to his close associates that he wants to spend the rest of his life in Pakistan, The Express Tribune has learnt.

The sources said on Monday that the ailing former president wants to return to his homeland as soon as possible. His close associates have approached the 'powerful quarters' and government officials to remove any obstacle in his return to the country.

The development comes after Musharraf’s family last Friday denied reports of his demise, saying the former chief executive was not on the ventilator but added that his recovery was not possible.

“He has been hospitalised for the last 3 weeks due to a complication of his ailment (Amyloidosis). Going through a difficult stage where recovery is not possible and organs are malfunctioning. Pray for ease in his daily living," the family wrote in a statement through Musharraf's official Twitter account.

Musharraf's close aide Dr Muhammad Amjad told The Express Tribune that Musharraf was suffering from a serious illness and described his condition as critical.

Musharraf has played a significant role in the development of Pakistan and it is his right that he spends the rest of his life in Pakistan, he added.

Dr Amjad confirmed that Pervez Musharraf wanted to return to Pakistan immediately while his close allies are in touch with the authorities concerned to ensure his return.

Also read: Musharraf’s recovery not possible: Family

He also requested the federal government and army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to take steps to bring back Musharraf to his homeland so that he could spend the rest of his life here.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said last week that there should be no obstacle in former president Pervez Musharraf's return to Pakistan in view of his illness

He also prayed for the former military ruler's health so that he could live his remaining life with dignity.

The 79-year-old former military ruler is suffering from amyloidosis, a rare disease caused by a build-up of an abnormal protein called amyloid in organs and tissues throughout the body, according to his family. The build-up of amyloid proteins (deposits) can make it difficult for the organs and tissues to work properly.

Amyloidosis can affect different organs in different people, and there are different types of amyloid. Amyloidosis frequently affects the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system and digestive tract.

In the human body, plasma cells stored in bones perform the important function of making antibodies. However, a patient suffering from amyloidosis starts releasing protein from his plasma cells because of which antibodies called amyloid to become dysfunctional and dangerous.