Former president Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: AFP
“It is good for everybody — including Musharraf — that he would go out of the country,” a senior security official in Islamabad said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the case.
Musharraf's name is currently on the Exit Control List (ECL) and while he can move around freely in the country, he is not permitted to leave Pakistan.
The former president is due to face treason charges under Article 6 for suspending, subverting and abrogating the Constitution, imposing an emergency in the country in November 2007 and detaining judges of the superior courts.
The 70-year-old was taken ill and rushed to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi on January 2 as he was being transported under heavy guard to the Special Court.
Musharraf’s wife, Begum Sehba Musharraf, had requested the government to remove his name from the ECL as his medics and aides considered shifting him abroad for treatment. However, the government had refused to entertain this request.
On January 6, the Shuhada Foundation of Lal Masjid had also submitted a request in the Islamabad High Court to stop Musharraf from leaving the country. The court had said the former military ruler cannot exit the country without its approval, adding that others should not interfere in matters of the court.
Malik weighs in
“When you allow an army chief in uniform to run for presidential elections, that means that you recognize him as a president in the uniform,” former interior minister Rehman Malik said.
When asked if he thinks Musharraf will leave the country soon, Malik said he would not believe this to be true until it actually happened.
COMMENTS (89)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1732745394-0/Diddy-(4)1732745394-0-165x106.webp "article")
Musarraf will prefer to get hanged than to be absconder . He would have ecaped so far but prefered to go in the lap of army so that people can see the free and fair treatment with him even by an incompetent judiciary . Govt. has put the ball before the court to hit but the court knows the order of punishment can never be implemented by this weak govt. The priority of this govt. is to set the economic goals .
Keeping in view of his services to the nation and mistakes he made justice should be done.It should be transparent. We should be satisfied that every care has been taken to be impartial and there is not a tinge of revenge in it.
There you go! The Musharraf drama is coming to an end. As soon as he leaves Pakistani air space, he will be on a miraculous recovery with all his "health problems" vanishing in a jiffy. The cowardly commando will then enjoy the $50+ million stash abroad and live happily ever after.
He is the only honest comptenetleaderofpakistan and intelligent leader PAkistan ever have after Quaid e Adam. God bless Musharraf
he should face the law and court instead of running from country. if he rusns it will proves that he was cowards..!!
Musharraf came to Pakistan in love with his country and for peoples of Pakistan . He will not make any deal. If he has to make deal for leaving then why he came back. Please stop mis-guiding innocent peoples
Musharraf came to Pakistan in love with his country and for peoples of Pakistan . He will not make anx deal. If he has to make deal for leaving then why he came back. Please stop mis-guiding innocent peoples
Oh please leave the old man alone and have some compassion even though he did not show it during his term in power. We as a nation should learn to forgive our enemies
@ Truth
you speak lies
Do the people posting comments on this article suffer from memory loss?? Go back and review the status of Pakistan over the last 15 years, you owe your media freedom and much more to Musharraf, since PPP and PML N have been in power there has been nothing but bad news..(just look at the numbers) some times I wish Musharraf was a true dictator, then you will all be licking his shoes and thinking he is really good - that seems to be the order of the day, you only like people who kill and loot and openly challenge the constitution by using force (taking hostages and fight the country's army and then try runway in a burka), like the Lal Masjid Mullahs. And everyone talking about justice - once again go back and review the what BB and Nawaz did in the 90s. One man tried to get Pakistan out of the dark ages and he is being crucified by "fuedals" of the land with help of peasants and "some what literate but ignorant" mob.
How can this country let the Lal Masjid Mullah go free?! how? this is a guy who took hostages and demanded Pakistan's constitution be changed while hiding behind women?! Instead you prosecute and humiliate Musharraf. Shame on this country. Implementing Marshal Law is obviously not lawful and cannot be condoned, however when it happened Pakistanis in all provinces celebrated (once again, you all seem to have a serious memory loss)
You deserve bad leaders who keep your thinking below average and do not let majority go to school, nations that do not recognize leaders who are good for them and who are there just because they like the power and status will eventually die. Reading the comments here makes me very sad - my fellow Pakistanis (majority anyway) are so ignorant of facts they will end up destroying our country all together.
There is no need of any deal . Saudi FM has made it clear that it is an internal affair of Pakistan . Nawaz Sharif has nothing to do with the issue he has made his position very clear . Now court has to validate the ECL containing Musarraf name and prepared by government . Is it in the interest of justice to follow a list which is not valid and client is willing to go abroad for treatment . COURT IS NOW BOUND TO ALLOW HIM TO GO ABROAD AGAINST A SUITABLE GUARANTER ?? Soudi FM is there for this purpose............??.
Leave these people and leave abroad to enjoy the respect that you have globally. These people don't deserve you. God bless you Sir.
Sir Musharaf get well soon. We dont deserve an honest person like you. I havent seen a more patriotic leader in the history of Pakistan. But unfortunately people here are too dumb to understand the logic behind all your decisions. And people keep on forgetting that he mighr be the only leader who is facing a biased court for such a long period of time. #respect
He can never leave country. Its my opinion. Let See.
After huge success of 'WAAR', next super-hit film in Pakistan would be 'BHAAG MUSHRRAF BHAAG based on General's life.
Seeing most of the comments here from supposedly educated folks, one can just not avoid a sense of dismay, desperation and disappointment. Education is traditionally a source of enlightenment and broadening of ones horrizons and inducing of better sense, but then why even education failed to raise us slightly raise above our primitive tribal mindset? If this is how educated Pakistanis look and wish to tackle serious issues then I do solemnly repeat President Musharraf's prayers and wish "Pakistan ka khuda hi haafiz"!
As repeatedly said before, all Nawaz-led conspiracies against Musharraf will fail. Now stop anti-Musharraf propaganda. He will prevail, always.
Political medical report of Musharaf.Trial should begin from 5th July,1977.
Musharraf support is building up tremendiously due to these fake cases and victimization. Time is coming soon when the rulers will be packing up Inshallah.
If the guy escapes the justice for medical reasons, then he will become the first accused in history of treason to go free. It is not realistic; all those who have been involved in the conspiracy of keeping him out of prison cells and his transfer to medical residence, will sooner or later have to answer for their act in this .life or the life after death. This is what the scriptures say and this is what is going to transpire.
Rex Minor
Banana Republic..
This General should not be allowed burial in Pakistan. He should not be buried in the Holy land of Pakistan.
suppose you love your mother alot, gave every joy to her, when she fall sick your never slept a moment but one day you slept her, now you beg to pardon for the sack you took good care of her? no man, you flooded your all done. same case is with Mr Mush @shah:
Musharraf's future is a litmus test for all of us. If he succeeds in running away safe and sound, then this whole democracy, independent judiciary, active media & well-aware civil society are simply fake bhashans for us! If so, it will be once again proven that Civilian Rule neither was nor is independent of military dictates and unfortunately Pakistan can never enter the league of civilized nations.
@Anoni: that's why he is here and facing all cases.
This case should be dealt wisely. On one hand, we got to stop the way of military take-overs and on the other hand we got to keep armed forces, rest of the world and political backlash from Musharaf's followers/sympathizers in check.
In my opinion, He shouldn't be allowed to leave until court's final verdict (like Nawaz Sharif) but he shouldn't be hanged, his sentence should be reduced to few years.
Musharraf's future is a litmus test for all of us. If he succeeds in running away safe and sound, then this whole democracy, independent judiciary, active media & well-aware civil society are pure fake bhashans for us! If so, it will be once again proven that Civilian Rule neither was nor is independent of military dictates.
He has already left. Go and check the hospital.
@nadeem: did u ask this for Nawaz as well ?
@shah: This is how we are. We deserve NS.
tribune is full of bias.
Very big farm house in Chak Shehzad. Agricultural land in Bahawalpur Plots in DHA Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad Apartment in London worth Rs.5000,000,000 How did Musharraf get this money? He did corruption and nothing else. He should be punished.
*the Shuhada Foundation of Lal Masjid had also submitted a request in the Islamabad High Court to stop Musharraf from leaving the country.
Wow (fun court) and that name should be crime foundation of lal masjid
What a phatic situation, this all become monkeys play now no justice system fully of politics and all decisions based on political power.
god bless you Sir Musharraf, we are proud of you Allah bestow you with good health.
@Last Word, no doubt he will face all charges if he did something wrong and sooner are later you will face the music of those whom you are supporting now.
*the Shuhada Foundation of Lal Masjid had also submitted a request in the Islamabad High Court to stop Musharraf from leaving the country.
Wow (fun court) and that name should be crime foundation of lal masjid
What a phatic situation, this all become monkeys play now no justice system fully of politics and all decisions based on political power.
god bless you Sir Musharraf, we are proud of you Allah bestow you with good health.
@Last Word, no doubt he will face all charges if he did something wrong and sooner are later you will face the music of those whom you are supporting now.
Only person who didn't do any corruption has to runaway from those who did it as the only thing in Pakistan other then attacking on Supreme Court, which is totally OK.
I pray for his health. He must be allowed treatement abraod if that s what he wants.But court cases aganisnt him must be continued.He must be made to come back to face them.And he, the coward and briber in chief must keep the army out of it.
he is a coward...
What is this shuhada foundation of LalMasjid? Since when terrorists and criminals are being given this title. The authorities who allowed this gang to regroup are suspect and must be investigated.
We are stupid Pakistanis, We don't like Learned Leaders. We run after such kind of people "Aaavey he Aaavey, Tey, Jaavey he jaavey. That is why, we are here in such condition. We are living in groups, we are just divided. I don’t like you, You don’t like me. we are just doing this, and nothing more. We are abnormal. Try to be simple Insaan first. then understand genuine leaders and avoid stupid people. Hug each of you.
Musharraf should be accountable for all his evil deeds. He is responsible for badly affecting the image of army.
We are stupid Pakistanies, We don't like Learned Leaders. We run after such kind of people "Aaavey he Aaavey, Tey, Jaavey he jaavey. That is why, we are here in such condition. We are living in groups, we are just divided. I dont like you, You dont like me. we are just doing this, and nothing more. We are abnormals. Try to be simple Insaan first. then understand genuine leaders and avoid stupid people. Hug each of you.
@lalai: and it's also proved once again for the umpteenth time that this army is its generals' army and not of ordinary Pakistanis', sad, unfortunate but true
@Jabran: his army will save him from any punishment
@nadeem: as if cares with tens of billions aborad
Ordinary Pakistanis the subjects neither have any heart or any other health problem or a mother when they are made to face the law but generals' health and mothers are above ordinary Pakistanis' health and mothers. Pakistan's an apartheid state, a separate law in reality for corrupt generals and politicians and a separate law in reality for the subjects
@shah: @Tanzeel: thank you both yes this is farce trial , why should he appear in kangaroo courts presided by biased judges, he returned with courage , the purpose of our business men leaders , is to demoralise army by humilating Musharraf ,he is the only person who spoke with courage ,confidence and conviction for pakistani cause world over , now our parchi reading PM wish to remove this last line of respect that we pakistani look upon, this is the agenda of anto pakistani forces , he is greatly respected and loved by massess . Godbless him , so many people write for his support and we are not paid trolls , therefore remember few but we know true worth of this great leader .
I think Bilawal was right when he uttered the words Coward to Musharaf.
In exile to whoever would listen Nawaz Sharif would be at pains to stress that he was a changed man and from bitter experience had learned what there was to learn. As we all know, before plunging to his fall Nawaz Sharif had wanted to become Amir-ul-Momineen, finding democracy and its checks and balances a nuisance.
The Great Dictators saying came true! Pakistan is a banana republic!
Pakistan people to pray for his (Musharraf’s) good health. Musharraf Sb. will save Pakistani people to dangerous Politian.
@nadeem: shame on you
We love you Sir. You saved Pakistan, Allah will save you from all evils.
It army feel embarrassed and demoralized if their Ex- Chief who is on trial in its own country so that is why he must be pardon to leave the country. This notion is a recipe for disaster for any nation. What if Police, bureaucracy, judges, politicians tow the same line then there will no justice for powerful people. If this country need to progress just like other normal countries in the world then people like Musharraf must be punished for their crimes as a ruler. If Musharraf got escape then it will be prove that this country is Banana state.
He humilated Nawaz & Co, Iftikhar choudary and co ... In the return they treat him the same ..call it tit for tat .. or Kerma .... Equation is balance .. Now please run away and never think to come back ..
*the Shuhada Foundation of Lal Masjid had also submitted a request in the Islamabad High Court to stop Musharraf from leaving the country.
Wow (fun court) and that name should be crime foundation of lal masjid
What a phatic situation, this all become monkeys play now no justice system fully of politics and all decisions based on political power.
god bless you Sir Musharraf, we are proud of you Allah bestow you with good health.
@Last Word, no doubt he will face all charges if he did something wrong and sooner are later you will face the music of those whom you are supporting now.
I hope tribune will show my comment.
please go through his recent interview where he said that he will never be inducted in treason case. means "he admits that he has done blunder to come back."@Mohammad:
*the Shuhada Foundation of Lal Masjid had also submitted a request in the Islamabad High Court to stop Musharraf from leaving the country.
Wow (fun court) and that name should be crime foundation of lal masjid
What a phatic situation, this all become monkeys play now no justice system fully of politics and all decisions based on political power.
god bless you Sir Musharraf, we are proud of you Allah bestow you with good health.
@Last Word, no doubt he will face all charges if he did something wrong he is Brave soldier of Pakistan and sooner are later you will face the music of those whom you are supporting now.
From "Main Darta warta kisi se nahin hon" to "faking illness". I guess this transformation is enough. In the history of Pakistan a Pakistani Army Chief on Back Foot. I think what happens next is irrelevant. He will lose his honor if he escapes this trial nothing to worry.
This is a very unfair treatment with Musharraf.
A man who fought wars for Pakistan, defended Pakistan internationally, gave an international recognition to our country, defended Pakistan from external and internal threats, revived our economy as proved by World Bank figures, respected internationally and invited for lectures for worth $200,000.
The result of his service is that he is being humiliated in his own country through a biased trial.
He hasn't run away yet. Right now appreciate his return to Pakistan and pray for his health. God Bless Musharraf!
Go musharaf go, and never come back.
@Last Word: Last time I checked he's still in Pakistan. Wait till he leaves then give out your 'last word'
It will be really unfortunate, if this happens
The comments here prove that Pakistan does not deserve a honest leader. They only deserve the Sharif's and Zardari's. You'd rather have a illiterate ruling the country with mass corruption than an honest man who helped Pakistan grow. Be happy with Nawaz Sharif and family robbing the already drowned country once again!
Side note: the lal masjid people need to stop already. The fact that they were allowed to file a case against Musharraf is a shocker. In my opinion, Lal masjid raid was the best thing Musharraf did. It was a loud and clear message that terrorists will not be given a safe heaven in Pakistan. Cry about it all you want.
I fully trust in General Pervez Musharraf...if he will go out of Pakistan that must be surely for his health and forced by his family... He can not and will never leave Pakistan with any other fear.
finally the man of honour is being released with honour. shame shame
If Musharraf is allowed to leave without a trial, Pakistan will forever be known as a country where the rule of law is nonexistent and its constitution is violated and trampled on by the establishment time and again without any consequences.
Oh God this time please bless Pakistan and dont let Musharraf run away.
Entire army is defamed and demoralized because of this Pervez Musharaf. He is doing acting of being unwell. He should be dragged to the court room.
Where are the online warriors who swear that their brave General will not run away like a coward but face all cases with courage in Pakistan ?
Main kisi say darta warta nahi hon..
lol :P
Musharraf is one of the people who are not accepted by Punjabis, Sindhis, Balochis, Pakhtoons because he is Urdu speaking, you cant digest him anyway. What about the other generals who were also involved in this cou oh I forgot they are exempted because they are Punjabis and Sindhis and Balochis and Pakhtoons, one eyed justice system
God bless Musharraf.
If he leaves the country with trial under Article 6 of the Constitution,it will be a very sad day for the country. The issue is very simple,did he break the constitution or not
There should be no mercy for Musharraf. He should be severely punished.
Any deal that would allow him to run away MUST include the clause that he cannot even come back for burial after death.