To offer condolences: Musharraf may be allowed to visit Saudi Arabia
Ex-president writes to interior ministry seeking removal of name from ECL
Ex-president writes to interior ministry seeking removal of name from ECL. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
The government is considering allowing former president Pervez Musharraf to travel to Saudi Arabia to offer condolences to the royal family over the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.
The former military dictator, who, like Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family, enjoys close ties with the Saudi royal family, has written a letter to the interior ministry requesting that his name be removed from the Exit Control List (ECL). “General (retd) Pervez Musharraf is desirous of visiting Saudi Arabia to express his heartfelt condolences over the sad demise of King Abdullah,” reads the letter written by Advocate Faisal Hussain on behalf of the former president.
“That is why we have asked the government to remove Musharraf sahib’s name from the ECL,” chief coordinator of Musharraf’s All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Ahmed Raza Kasuri told The Express Tribune on Friday. He said the party was in contact with all stakeholders over the issue.
A close aide of Premier Nawaz said the government could consider the request seriously. “King Abdullah’s sad demise is something which matters greatly for Pakistan. The government might let him [Musharraf] fly to Saudi Arabia,” he told The Express Tribune. He added, however, that any such decision would be taken after consulting the ministries of law and interior.
Some believe allowing Musharraf to go abroad could provide the government and other stakeholders some ‘face saving’ as they move past an issue – treason trial of the former president – which has caused much friction between the country’s civil and military establishment.
According to political analyst Hasan Askari Rizvi, there is a strong possibility that Musharraf would be allowed to leave for Saudi Arabia. However, he said there would be a question mark over whether the former dictator would return. “The government will face harsh criticism if Musharraf chooses not to return. It will give the opposition more space to do politics,” Rizvi added.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2015.
The government is considering allowing former president Pervez Musharraf to travel to Saudi Arabia to offer condolences to the royal family over the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.
The former military dictator, who, like Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family, enjoys close ties with the Saudi royal family, has written a letter to the interior ministry requesting that his name be removed from the Exit Control List (ECL). “General (retd) Pervez Musharraf is desirous of visiting Saudi Arabia to express his heartfelt condolences over the sad demise of King Abdullah,” reads the letter written by Advocate Faisal Hussain on behalf of the former president.
“That is why we have asked the government to remove Musharraf sahib’s name from the ECL,” chief coordinator of Musharraf’s All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Ahmed Raza Kasuri told The Express Tribune on Friday. He said the party was in contact with all stakeholders over the issue.
A close aide of Premier Nawaz said the government could consider the request seriously. “King Abdullah’s sad demise is something which matters greatly for Pakistan. The government might let him [Musharraf] fly to Saudi Arabia,” he told The Express Tribune. He added, however, that any such decision would be taken after consulting the ministries of law and interior.
Some believe allowing Musharraf to go abroad could provide the government and other stakeholders some ‘face saving’ as they move past an issue – treason trial of the former president – which has caused much friction between the country’s civil and military establishment.
According to political analyst Hasan Askari Rizvi, there is a strong possibility that Musharraf would be allowed to leave for Saudi Arabia. However, he said there would be a question mark over whether the former dictator would return. “The government will face harsh criticism if Musharraf chooses not to return. It will give the opposition more space to do politics,” Rizvi added.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2015.