Saudi foreign minister's visit not linked to Musharraf: Foreign Office

Spokesperson says Musharraf issue is internal matter, no other country will be allowed to exert pressure.

ISLAMABAD: Rejecting speculation that linked Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al Faisal’s visit to the treason trial of former president Pervez Musharraf, the foreign office on Friday clarified that the trip to Pakistan was scheduled earlier and has nothing to do with the high-profile treason case.

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.