Amid heavy security, Musharraf lands in Karachi
Heavy security with containers placed outside his relative's house in DHA.
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
RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD/KARACHI:
Former president Pervez Musharraf reached Karachi airport on Saturday evening from where he proceeded to a bungalow off Zamzama in DHA. He is said to undergo medical tests in the city
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.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8:53pm:
The former president's plane has entered the Nawabshah territory.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8:35pm:
Musharraf's plane is expected to arrive soon. Convoys are getting ready.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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.
Former president Pervez Musharraf reached Karachi airport on Saturday evening from where he proceeded to a bungalow off Zamzama in DHA. He is said to undergo medical tests in the city
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.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
9:38pm:
Former army chief's convoy, containing some 20 vehicles zoom down Shahrae Faisal towards DHA.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
9:31pm:
Musharraf has left Karachi airport in a Land Cruiser.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
9:16pm:
Musharraf's aircraft has landed at Karachi airport.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8:57pm:
Musharraf's plane is expected to land at 9:15pm.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8:53pm:
The former president's plane has entered the Nawabshah territory.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8:35pm:
Musharraf's plane is expected to arrive soon. Convoys are getting ready.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8:06pm:
Rangers and police officials have reached Musharraf's relative's residence in Zamzama, Karachi.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
7:20pm:
Rangers officials are telling people and journalists to clear the area as more security forces are expected.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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.