Former president Pervez Musharraf peeks through the curtains of his bomb-proof SUV as he arrives at a bunglow of Zamzama on Saturday evening. PHOTO: MOHAMMAD NOMAN/EXPRESS
There was heavy deployment of security forces both at Benazir International Airport in Islamabad from where he took off earlier in the evening and at the Karachi airport where he landed.
This is Musharraf's first major travel since the beginning of the treason trial, in which he was indicted.
"He was planning to spend some time with his daughter there as his wife is in Dubai taking care of his ailing mother," Afshan Adil, a close aide and lawyer told AFP.
He is also supposed to undergo some diagnostic tests in a Navy-run hospital there," she added.
It was unclear whether Musharraf would return to Islamabad in time to attend a court hearing in the Akbar Bugti case scheduled for Monday morning.
9:58pm:
Musharraf has arrived at his destination off Zamzama, DHA, Karachi.
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9:38pm:
Former army chief's convoy, containing some 20 vehicles zoom down Shahrae Faisal towards DHA.
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9:31pm:
Musharraf has left Karachi airport in a Land Cruiser.
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9:16pm:
Musharraf's aircraft has landed at Karachi airport.
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8:57pm:
Musharraf's plane is expected to land at 9:15pm.
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8:53pm:
The former president's plane has entered the Nawabshah territory.
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8:35pm:
Musharraf's plane is expected to arrive soon. Convoys are getting ready.
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8:14pm:
Two white Land Cruisers have reached terminal one. These vehicles, said to be bomb-proof will apparently be used to transport Musharraf from the airport.
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8:06pm:
Rangers and police officials have reached Musharraf's relative's residence in Zamzama, Karachi.
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7:20pm:
Rangers officials are telling people and journalists to clear the area as more security forces are expected.
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7:18 pm:
Bomb Disposal Squad has reached terminal one of Jinnah International Airport.
Mobile phone jammers and a fire brigade have also reached the farmhouse where Musharraf is residing at to ensure his safety.
All arrangements regarding his arrival are complete, sources said. Security has also been put on high alert and terminal one of the Jinnah International Airport has received instructions regarding the landing of the former president's chartered plane, sources further said.
All police officials have taken their positions as well to secure the route that Musharraf will take upon his arrival in Karachi.
According to sources, Wing Commander of the Sindh Rangers has also arrived at terminal one, accompanied with four mobiles of rangers.
The Sindh government is reportedly responsible for providing security to the former military ruler.
The former army general was scheduled to depart from his farmhouse at 3pm and fly to Karachi from Benazir Bhutto International Airport.
Musharraf will be treated at PNS Shifa Karachi upon his arrival in the metropolitan city. Sources said that his health has improved and he is fit to travel.
According to the sources, there were serious threats for Musharraf in Rawalpindi or Islamabad and, therefore, he had selected Karachi for his treatment, which was reported first by Express Tribune.
Musharraf's name is currently on the Exit Control Lost and he cannot leave Pakistan but is allowed to travel freely throughout the country.
On March 31, Musharraf was formally charged for subverting and circumventing the Constitution by imposing emergency on November 3, 2007. Musharraf had rejected the five charges levelled against him.
Hearings of the treason trial will continue on April 24 in the Special Court in Islamabad and will be held on a daily basis from that day forward.
COMMENTS (53)
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@Khan: "Can the general travel like ordinary Pakistanis, not even the President of America gets so much protocol!" . FYI, the security arrangements for the US President are far more stricter and cost an exorbitant amount to the US taxpayers. Please see some of the documentaries made by the Public Boradcasting Sysem, (USA) to update yourself and get rid of the preconcieved notions. . Despite such elaborate preperations, remember JFK's case. (A documentary by PBS on that topic too exists). A retiree of the Security Services who was assigned to Mrs Kennedy gives some very intimitate and hair raising details.
@Motiwala: "@Parvez: Your true colors are showing. Mohtarma was not under indictment. Mohtarma was free. With no cases against her. They were dropped. Mohtarma was not accused of treason. The state has to protect Musharraf. So when required, he can be produced in court. In one piece." . Security Analysts have come up with a game plan for the worst case scenario, which they intend to follow through. . In case of that bombast BB, she was informed about the looming danger, she ignored the waning and relied more on her men, who disappeared from the scene as if on a given signal. Wonder what or own bleeding heart Mirza was doing on that particular moment?
@Kamal: Kargil was initiated to put Pakistan on a permanent weak point ion the world by presenting it as the aggressor and the operation fully achieved that objective, it was no doubt yet another victory like Siachen and East Pakistan 1971.
Can the general travel like ordinary Pakistanis, not even the President of America gets so much protocol!
it is a true disgrace for the entire nation, including, and yes including, Pakistan Army!!!
What is the principle the government is fighting for? Is it worth all this expense?
Good luck tax payers
Cowards are those who are bending all the way to please TTP : MUsharaff led the nation from the front and gave the best performing economy and social development including free media, local govt, HEC etc......when Shahbaz Sharif calls TTP brothers and elder Sharif request TTP not to attack his home province and spare their children......only shows who was the real brave and leader.....
President Musharraf's name will be written in golden letters in the history of Pakistan.
A patriotic leader who steered the country out of crises and led it on the path of prosperity and DEMOCRACY.
The only leader who tried to make Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam's Pakistan.
The only leader who believed in the ideology of Pakistan.
@Youth:Fact is Ex Army Chief/President Musharraf is no prisoner,indictment by a kangaroo court,not been convicted,confused believers of injustice.
Welcome sir karachites are with you and have never doubted your patriotism
Islamic equality is only demanded when "elected" leaders are in power. Nobody talks about equal treatment of all Muslims when it comes to the perks of usurpers and those committing high treason. Those shouting for people dying with hunger and diseases are quiet when it comes to protecting rich and powerful at the cost of people.
@Pervez..you knowledge is not upto date..go back in the past and read the statement of Benazir..she refused govt. security....security was provided by jilas led by Rehman malic
@Parvez: Your true colors are showing. Mohtarma was not under indictment. Mohtarma was free. With no cases against her. They were dropped. Mohtarma was not accused of treason. The state has to protect Musharraf. So when required, he can be produced in court. In one piece.
History repeat itself........ Let's see with how many suitcases he will run away...!!!!!!
welcome home sir, this is where you belong...
Welcome Sir in the City of Lights, I salute you !!!!
Live update! only for someone who is the most important person in Pakistan. Long live Musharraf!
welcome to karachi
He is running because courts verdict is Coming .........
This facility should be given to other prisoners in Pakistan too. They should also be allowed medical treatment in big hospitals.
coward running away
Law bends for cowards too.
Good riddance, violence will now follow this guy to Karachi. Poor Karachiwalas, as if they were short on violence of their own.
Rex Minor
welcomeeeeeeeeeeee sir
@meedan:
Not even in another lifetime.
God bless Pervaiz Musharraf. May he stay safe and healthy and as far away from nooras as possible.
its just like taking Patient from Agha khan hospital to BHU tharparkar .commando on the run
its just like taking patient from agha khan hospital to BHU tharparkar.commando on the run
Coward Fauji
love to c u in power
I love you, Mushi!!!
Musharaff is most welcome in karachi.
sher e pakistan welcome home
Seems like Minister Saad Rafiq........had a valid point.
Game over !!
Latoon ke bhuot batoon se nahein mante - slowly but surely the government is going to wind up this tamasha. Love Musharraf.
Another topi drama in making..why the so called great commander so much worried about judiciary ! It itself shows that he is no more an innocent.
Welcome to karachi Sir. I salute you for your bravery. You are our true soldier and we dont believe any thing the corrupt media speaks about you, because we know your patriotism can never be doubted.