Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al Faisal. PHOTO: AFP
Musharraf, who was due to appear for treason hearing on January 2, fell sick on his way to the court and was admitted to a military hospital in Rawalpindi for medical check up. The sudden sickness resulted in rumours claiming that the former president will leave Pakistan as a part of a "secret deal" brokered by international players.
Many linked the visit of the Saudi foreign minister to this clandestine arrangement.
However, today, the foreign office spokesperson said Musharraf's case was Pakistan’s internal matter and no other country will be allowed to exert pressure.
The media yesterday was buzzing with the news of this visit which many said was Riyadh’s attempt to rescue Musharraf, who is considered to be close to the Saudi regime.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had, however, ruled out chances that the government will allow Musharraf to go out of the country.
The Saudi foreign minister was invited to Islamabad after he met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the 68th session of the UN General Assembly in New York last year.
COMMENTS (21)
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The Devil is coming, watch out
He was scheduled to play a game of Golf with the former General and was not informed about his pre-occupation with the judiciary.
Rex Minor
We hope sanity prevails with the Saudis and they dare not meddle in the internal affairs of Pakistan! Unlike Saudi Kingdom, Pakistan has independent judiciary, more aware civil society, vibrant media and more robust social media working independently of any external influence.
@Mard-e-Haq: Are you suggesting the Saudi leaders are brainless toadies of the West? Hmmm...probably he's, as long as their fear of Iran doesn't get in the way.
Marveling: Saudi Arab influenced Mushrraf to spare Mr. Nawaz Sahirf, and they will ask Nawaz To spare Musharraf,but why this country did not influence to Gen. Zia to spare Z.A.Bhutto?
He is just coming to have "nehari"!!
@Mard-e-Haq:
What the western countries want, they do it through Saudis.
When you make a deal with the devil, you sell your soul. According to Wikileaks, Saudis said they are not mere observers in Pakistan, they are stakeholders. They will never waste their investment in the Sharif Family. It is payback time.
PMLN regime lives in a world of lies and deceit. They still think they live in 1999s where they could sign a 10 year deal (NRO1) and keep denying it.
Whatever the Saudis want, Pakistan provides. The Saudis have reduced Pakistan into a state of rentier servitude.
Thats what Mr. Musharaf should have done when PML N was behind bars. It was also the countries internal matter but things changed and everything is negotiable.
Dear FO, do you see 'C' written on our faces?
and you want us to believe that right ?... Welcome to Banana Republic
Crooks taking care of other crooks. Next up will be British PM stepping in.
as if we believe foreign office
kindly leave us alone "brothers"
Twist in the drama....... lets C how the story moves ahead.
...in other words it is linked to Musharraf.
Lets wait and see, it wont be long before we know about it.
Thanks for the explanation. Really.