Musharraf changes his mind about returning to Pakistan over security issues
Former President General (r) Pervez Musharraf has decided to stay away from Pakistan for the time being over security concerns, a private news channel reported.The former president conveyed his decision to close aides in Pakistan. Musharraf had been ordered to appear before a special court in a high treason case filed against him in 2013.
Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, while replying to the former president’s statement, said, “We would make all necessary arrangements for Musharraf’s security.”
“He (Musharraf) would be provided with security in accordance with the law,” the minister said. He also said that the retired general should not delay his plans to return to Pakistan over security concerns.
Meanwhile, Musharraf’s legal counsel Advocate Akhter Shah said that he did not trust the interior ministry to provide foolproof security to his client. He also said that once he was satisfied with the security arrangements, he would inform his client to return to the country.
Musharraf’s decision to postpone his visit comes at a time when news regarding the Ministry of Defence’s refusal to grant him a security protocol had been making rounds in the local media.
Speaking to a private news channel BOL, Mushharraf did not give a specific date of his return though he wished he could be back soon.
Pervez Musharraf tells about his return to Pakistan.@P_Musharraf pic.twitter.com/JUeWmqoag9— APML (Official) (@APMLOfficial_) March 26, 2018
A letter sent to Musharraf by the ministry stated that the issue of providing security did not fall in the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defence. Musharraf’s counsel admitted that such a letter was indeed sent to his client by the above-mentioned ministry.
An interior ministry notification issued on March 19 stated that the ministry was ready to provide a security protocol to Musharraf on the basis of a plea filed on his behalf by Advocate Shah.
On March 16, the special court hearing the treason case against Musharraf had ordered the federal government to put special measures in place to bring the ex-military ruler back from the United Arab Emirates.
The former president’s advocate in his arguments had told the court that an application was sent to the interior ministry for security arrangements.
In the petition, it was stated that the former president faced security threats.
An interior ministry notification issued on March 19 stated that the ministry was ready to provide a security protocol to Musharraf on the basis of a plea filed on his behalf by Advocate Shah.
On March 16, the special court hearing the treason case against Musharraf had ordered the federal government to put special measures in place to bring the ex-military ruler back from the United Arab Emirates.
The former president’s advocate in his arguments had told the court that an application was sent to the interior ministry for security arrangements.
In the petition, it was stated that the former president faced security threats.
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