AsiaBreakingDailyGeneralHotMediaPoliticsWorld

Will Musharraf be granted safe-exit from Pakistan?

Pakistan's former military ruler Parvez Musharraf: File Pic
Pakistan’s former military ruler Parvez Musharraf: File Pic

There are widespread speculations within and outside Pakistan that Pakistan’s former military ruler Parvez Musharraf, who is presently in detention, may be granted safe-exit and allowed to leave country.

Islamabad, May 20/Nationalturk- There are speculations that Pakistan’s former military ruler and president General (Retd) Parvez Musharraf, who is presently in detention, may be granted safe-exist and allowed to leave country.

Highly placed sources said Pakistan’s military chief General Parvez Kayani discussed this option (granting safe passage to Musharraf) during this Saturday’s meeting with country’s next Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

“Kayani called on Nawaz Saturday and had a detailed meeting with him. The two leaders discussed host of issues plaguing the country. They also discussed the issue of Parvez Musharraf, who is presently under detention,” they said.

They said it could not be said with certainty with transpired between Kayani and Nawaz but it is a fact that Musharraf’s issue was issue.

Sources said Nawaz Sharif may be reluctant to provoke the military, which has avoided political interference for the past five years. “He may not object to Musharraf granted safe-exit from the country”.

‘New PM won’t object to his leaving country’

Pakistan newspaper, Express  Tribune quoted sources of Nawaz party (PML-N) as saying that there was growing sense within the party’s ranks that Musharraf’s presence in Pakistan and his possible trial could distract the new government from pressing issues including terrorism, economic and power crisis.

“If the former president and military ruler Parvez Musharraf is allowed to leave the country under pretext of his mother’s ill health or any other reason, PM should not object to it,” they said.

The newspaper quoted a PML-N leader as saying if Musharraf leaves the country before the new government takes charge, it will be a win-win situation.

“A message has been circulated within the army that Musharraf will be allowed to leave the country soon. The ‘message’ was conveyed in a bid to pacify growing unease within the army over the trial of its former army chief,” sources said.

However, Pakistan army and PML-N have refused to comment on the issue officially.

Lawyer has withdrawn case

The lawyer Aslam Ghumman who had initiated one of the main legal cases against Musharraf had withdrawn his motion in a move that could set the stage for a compromise allowing the former army chief to leave the country.

The courts in Pakistan are investigating whether Musharraf violated the constitution when he detained 62 senior judges after he declared emergency rule in 2007. He faces a treason charge for it.

He faces allegations that he failed to provide adequate security to former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated the same year. He also faces a case regarding killing of a Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti. Musharraf has denied allegations of wrongdoing.

There are growing speculations in diplomatic circles that some arrangement could be found that would allow Musharraf to leave the country and avoid the embarrassment of a possible conviction and prison sentence. Musharraf ousted Sharif in a 1999 bloodless coup and kept the politician in detention for 14 months, but then allowed him to leave for Saudi Arabia. Pakistan is currently governed by a temporary caretaker administration.

Musharraf returned to Pakistan in March this year after ending nearly four-years exile to contest elections. However, since arrival he has been fighting legal battles and has been detained at his farm house.  He was barred from contesting elections and his party All Pakistan Muslim League boycotted the elections.

Write your comments and thoughts below

Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Pakistan News

 

[adrotate banner=”46″]
More

Related Articles

Bir yanıt yazın

Başa dön tuşu
Breaking News