Rehman Malik hints at Musharraf's departure

The former interior minister predicts a compromise between ex-president Musharraf and the government.

Former interior minister and senator Rehman Malik said that he predicts a compromise between ex-president Pervez Musharraf and the government, allowing the former dictator to leave the country.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Malik said that he believes Musharraf's departure is imminent. Musharraf is currently on the Exit Control List (ECL), and is barred from leaving the country.

The former army chief was recently indicted by Supreme Court for high treason -- a charge that carries the death penalty -- for declaring a state of emergency in November 2008, during which he suspended parliament and put many judges, including former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, under house arrest.

Musharraf's trial has allegedly become a divisive issue between Pakistan's civilian and military establishment. This week, Chief of Army Staff Raheel Sharif issued a strongly worded statement maintaining that the army would preserve its institutional dignity 'at all costs' and alluded to the 'undue criticism' that the army has sustained in recent weeks.