Govt may let Musharraf fly to S. Arabia
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ISLAMABAD: The government has decided in principle to allow former military ruler retired General Pervez Musharraf to leave the country, an official source told Dawn on Saturday.
He said Gen Musharraf had filed a written application with the Interior Ministry, seeking permission to fly to Saudi Arabia to condole the death of King Abdullah.
Read: Musharraf seeks permission to offer condolences – in Saudi Arabia
In the application addressed to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Mr Musharraf – whose name is on the exit control list (ECL) – sought a relaxation of the travel ban placed on him so that he could fly to Saudi Arabia and meet members of the royal family.
The source said the interior minister was among the few members of the cabinet who had been trying to persuade the PML-N leadership to soften its stance on Mr Musharraf, particularly when the PTI’s sit-in was ongoing and there were rumours of a military takeover.
Also read| Saudi King Shah Abdullah dies; Salman becomes new king
However, there was no official confirmation of the decision from the interior ministry, which is being run without a spokesman for months.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, however, clarified late on Saturday night that “we have not received any request from Musharraf for permission to travel abroad”.
But retired Maj Gen Rashid Qureshi, a spokesman for the former president, said that a request had been sent to the ministry, but no formal communication had so far been received in response to the request. He also expressed surprise over the statement from the PM’s Office and described it as a lie.
“The prime minister knows nothing if he does not know what is happening in the interior ministry,” he remarked.
SLAIN CLERIC’S SON: In a related development, Haroon Rashid, the son of former Lal Masjid chief cleric Abdul Rasheed, who was killed during a military operation in July 2007, filed a petition with the Interior Ministry on Saturday, urging it not to remove Mr Musharraf’s name from the ECL until a verdict in cases pending against him over the murder of his father and grandmother.
In the petition, sent to the Interior Ministry through Tariq Asad advocate, he asked the ministry not to allow Mr Musharraf to leave Pakistan “for the sake of justice”. Otherwise, the petition warned, the Interior Ministry would be responsible for frustrating justice.
It said that if the former president, who faces multiple high-profile cases, including high treason and murder, was allowed to proceed abroad, he would be able to escape his trial and would never come back.
Published in Dawn January 25th , 2015
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Comments (71) Closed
Jan 25, 2015 08:10am
They should allow him to travel anywhere! People now understand whatever he did was for the good of country!
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Jan 25, 2015 08:16am
Now it is proved that LAL Masjid operation was correct and that there were terrorist taking shelter in Masjid, how dare the son of terrorist ask that Interior Ministry would be responsible? The present Mullah who tried to run away wearing Burqa has no such right to raise this issue
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Jan 25, 2015 08:19am
Let Musharraf go, He has done a great service to the nation, one of them taking on Lal Masjid one of the centers of terror. Too bad he was unable to get others in the operation.
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Jan 25, 2015 08:32am
This is the right thing to now, PML-N made a big mistake when they put General Parveez Mushraf ' s name on ECL.
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Jan 25, 2015 08:40am
So the criminal who was feeble to attend any court of law in Pakistan suddenly finds himself hale and hearty to fly to Saudi Arabia. Miracles never stop.
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Jan 25, 2015 08:42am
I hope he can go abroad.
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Jan 25, 2015 08:47am
Musharaf is a true muslim with integrity and will return, the cleric is a dubious character with no integrity and thinks everyone one is like him, as he in a similar situation would never come back.
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Jan 25, 2015 09:13am
The Nawaz Sharif government should not make this issue for the life time and ,let Musharraf go, as Nawaz was also guilty of prior to the military coup and forgiven on the request from Saudi Arabia.
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Jan 25, 2015 09:18am
Mush will never come back if he is allowed to go to S. Arabia.
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Jan 25, 2015 09:54am
Finally Mushi will be allowed to escape from Pakistan. Since NS government is unable to punish him he is allowed to escape.
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Jan 25, 2015 10:01am
Bravo!!!...Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is shown that he is a true statesman...by allowing Musharraf to leave Pakistan...has shown magnanimity...it is a very smart move on part of the PM which would raise his stature in the eyes of every Pakistani and national and international leaders...
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Jan 25, 2015 10:02am
Bravo!!!...Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has shown that he is a true statesman...by allowing Musharraf to leave Pakistan...has shown magnanimity...it is a very smart move on part of the PM which would raise his stature in the eyes of every Pakistani and national and international leaders...
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Jan 25, 2015 10:09am
Is it that important for him to go in person to convey his condolences? A phone call should suffice.
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Jan 25, 2015 10:10am
Nawaz Sharif will come out winner with this move...whether Musharraf comes back or not...
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Jan 25, 2015 10:15am
Indeed, a shrewd move by NS.
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Jan 25, 2015 10:25am
It is funny that Abdul Rasheed's son, whose uncle Abdil Aziz of Lal Mosque is a terrorist is filing a petition not to remove Musharraf's name from the ECL.
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Jan 25, 2015 10:33am
Its a good move Saudis have been kind to Nawaz Shareef and Mushraff is close to Royal family and he should be allowed to go condole as Saudi Arabia has been a major player in world politics and Obama is cutting his visit short to go there.
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Jan 25, 2015 10:41am
PM has no choice to allow President Musharaff to travel abroad. If any one watched Pervaiz Musharaff latest interview with Shazad should realizes how powerful President Musharaff is.
As far Haroon Rashid, the son of former Lal Masjid chief cleric Abdul Rasheed, who was killed during a military operation in July 2007,is concerned. he is just lucky he is still alive. This is where Musharaff went wrong, he didnt wiped out the entire family of Rashhed who are defaming the religion of Islam
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Jan 25, 2015 10:47am
No exit door for mushi, send him behind the bars.
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Jan 25, 2015 11:09am
With the case going nowhere, what with the military reluctant to punish one of its own and the PM too scared to upset the generals, the Saudi funeral has given all parties a way out. Mush can exit and end the drama.
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Jan 25, 2015 11:10am
@True Legend He is a true gentleman and the best leader pakistan has ever seen. He should be allowed to leave the country
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Jan 25, 2015 11:10am
Biggest mistake
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Jan 25, 2015 11:21am
@Moin Kamal musharraf is close to royal family...please have some coffee..its just he is trying to abuse the opportunity.. an opportunist he was and he still is.
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Jan 25, 2015 11:28am
Nawaz Sharif would consider this a blessing in disguise.
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Jan 25, 2015 11:29am
@Mustafa He came back to Pakistan despite all the cases including one of treason. Why would you think he would never come back? He is a brave soldier, not a scaredy cat like the likes of Altaf Hussain.
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Jan 25, 2015 11:30am
So the stick of 3rd umpire seems to have worked resulting i compete capituation: first military courts and now letting Musharraf escape.
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Jan 25, 2015 11:50am
It is sad.
NZ, Zardari, BB are supposed to leave the country for ever, not a Musharf. Mushi is a loyal Pakistani and never involved in the corruption or anti Pakistani activities.
His actions were correct against Lal Masjid, Choudary Iftikar, NZ , BB.
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Jan 25, 2015 11:55am
Mr. Musharraf is a true patriot. He will be back after a short visit and that's not something Nawaz wants. Government wants him to leave the country so they can label him as "bhagora" and Mr. Musharraf knows that. Him staying in the country is something Nawaz doesn't like. His name from ECL can be removed in seconds only if he wants to leave and never to come back.
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Jan 25, 2015 12:02pm
Isn't he the same man, who tried to assassinate PM Nawaz Sharif, later deposed to Saudi Arabia, did bloodless coup, became self styled president of Pakistan.
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Jan 25, 2015 12:03pm
Musharraf has been charged for the murder of Akbar Bugti, and yet he will be let go, fly to Saudi Arabia. So he is above the law.
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Jan 25, 2015 12:16pm
@Sunil Bugti was a troublemaker and never did anything for poor Balochs.
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Jan 25, 2015 12:34pm
Will he come back or proceed to US to live with his son.
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Jan 25, 2015 12:40pm
@Ahmed USA ...if i remember correctly politician is a person who shapes his opinion as per nation views .... whereas statesman is a person who shapes the view of the nation ...Unfortunately we don't have any statesman......and btw prime minister has already conceded his authority to military.......... i.e. military is looking after foreign, interior & defence, ministries....so its a military call
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Jan 25, 2015 12:43pm
Very interesting comments... wonder why Mushraf wants to go to Saudi Arabia and under what capacity... Mystery... May be he going to ask the late king as to why he did not fulfill his commitment and allowed NS to come to Pakistan...
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Jan 25, 2015 12:44pm
@Warrior Bin Qasim Yet without Bugti, Balochis feel they are being deprived of their natural resources.
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Jan 25, 2015 12:46pm
@Mustafa : I can bet, he'll be back. All the cases against him have no solid ground.
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Jan 25, 2015 01:31pm
If Musharraf wanted to escape - then he would be listed as absconder like any cheap criminals and it would prove and label him as guilty.
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Jan 25, 2015 01:37pm
If this traitor and murderer is let go then the PM and COAS must be hanged in his place. They have to be beheaded anyway for their crimes against humanity. If not now then the Islamic states will do it as soon as they take over Pakistan.
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Jan 25, 2015 02:17pm
I am bit surprised and sad with the comments about the Musharraf and people calling him all kind of stuff. Could I just ask you guys that you are not that young to remember that he saved you all from American terror after 9/11. Run the country from any impunity and later left presidency after lawyer movement. This is I think not enough for you considering people of this country was on road for dharnas and beside so many movements these politicians have no respect or having any heart or mind to let any thing go, let alone premiership.
How would you called failure of justice when he is attending courts where as people like killers of Salman Taseer are not hanged yet. I have no doubt that man of this stature will risk of running away as he never done it before. Respect your soldiers who kept you safe!
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Jan 25, 2015 02:18pm
If the government knew how to play politics...it would allow him to go with a stipulation to return in a set number a days.......then what ever he did it would be a win-win situation for the government.
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Jan 25, 2015 02:59pm
Does any sane person think he would come back and face the court? For how long will these generals continue to be sacred. He should be charged with high treason and given the punishment according to law. He can go anywhere he wishes once that is done.
The only way forward is for us to put our house in order and reject the double standards we maintain.
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Jan 25, 2015 03:04pm
Never to be seen again. Please enjoy the billions you have stolen from us
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Jan 25, 2015 03:16pm
If Tahir-ul-Qadri sort of accused can be allowed to go and come in Pakistan at their will, of course, on the chagrin of law of the land, then what is the harm in allowing Mushraf to go to Saudi Arabia or any where else in the world.
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Jan 25, 2015 04:06pm
There is no need for an ex President / ex COAS (out of office) to go to Saudi personally to condole the death of a 90 year old despot. Unless of course he wishes to go there to get a job like several of our citizens do. The Saudi royal family is not bothered.
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Jan 25, 2015 04:08pm
@Ahmed USA Not really. Most of us do not care one way or another. What makes you the spokesperson for all of us?
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Jan 25, 2015 04:09pm
Musharraf is Pakistani patriot who had the best intentions at heart for Pakistan.
May be he was megalomaniac but he was true to his profession as a soldier.
Given permission to go out he will show courage to come back .
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Jan 25, 2015 04:16pm
@Sunil He is a thorn in every Indians eye.
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Jan 25, 2015 04:33pm
@Ismail realize that you & i are minority mind-set
a strategy is needed for minority to rule majority
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Jan 25, 2015 05:04pm
@Dr. Ghazi good comment.
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Jan 25, 2015 05:19pm
@Mustafa Yes he will. Pakistan is his Homeland, he joined the army to defend it. He is a true Pakistani. I'm sure Nawaz would like him to stay away. A Lion never runs away from a jackel.
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Jan 25, 2015 05:25pm
If Zardari can fly out of Pak, why NOT Musharaf?
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Jan 25, 2015 05:58pm
Pervez Musharraf has a serious heart condition. He is unfit to attend courts. It is best he gets rest at home.
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Jan 25, 2015 07:52pm
Musharraf is a patriot. He did more for Pakistan than all other politicians put together: economy, free media, representation for women, qualification for legislators, etc.
Musharraf's name must be removed from the exit control list. I cannot believe for a moment that, if allowed to travel abroad, he will not come back. He will, and it will add to his integrity.
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Jan 25, 2015 09:02pm
Most of the action taken by Musharraf in his regime is proving to be beneficial for Pakistan. The Lal Masjid episode, reference against SC CJ Chaudhary Iftikhar, paid back all loans to IMF. During his time PIA, Railways, Wapda, Steel Mill etc. were making high profits. Pakistan growth rate was much higher, local bodies elections were held. The city of Karachi got the much needed face lift. He got the second sea-port constructed in Baluchistan. The dollar rate was 60 rupees maintained during his term. The list is long.
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Jan 25, 2015 09:26pm
Do not be dumb. Allow this man travel freely anywhere he wants.
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Jan 25, 2015 09:27pm
@Mushahid With this application of Musharraf Nawaz sharif has no choice but to let him go. His prestige in the middle east is already went down by misadventures with Musharraf. It will not be a brave or courageous move of Sharif but to save his face.
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Jan 25, 2015 09:28pm
@Zak he is also liar and back stabber. Kargil misadventure is one of the examples. He sacrificed hundreds of Pak army men in Kargil.
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Jan 25, 2015 10:17pm
Musharraf took the right and courageous decision against terrorist hiding inside Lal Masjid. He was a strong leader who could take a decision. He has been wrongly implicated in various cases. As a real leader one has to take bold decision in favor of the country and that what he did.
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Jan 25, 2015 10:55pm
firstly,lal masjid operation is not rong Mushrafs operation is correct. There are lot of terorist ready to take action.Mushraf has a great service faor nation. He is a great leader
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Jan 25, 2015 11:00pm
he is a "Former soldier and defender of Pakistan" and he should be allowed to travel anywhere he wishes.
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Jan 26, 2015 12:24am
I remember last time it was Musharaaaaf who sent Sharif to Saudi Arabia...now Nawaj is returning the favour...and that reminds me of that very looooooooooong march Imran planned for...I am sure it ended with his wedding plans
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Jan 26, 2015 12:56am
Let him go wherever he wants to visit in the world and note he will also come back. It is now clear he loves nothing more than his country. The injustice done to him in his incarcination in the past couple of years also need to be undone. He has proven to be the best leader in Pakistan's history thus far.
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Jan 26, 2015 01:29am
This would be a mockery of the law. Either release him or try him.
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Jan 26, 2015 04:43am
Makes no difference now since Friday was the day King Abdullah passed away. Instead of making him a "bhagora" they want to make him look bad in front of the Saudi monarchy whom the Sharif's treat as their slave masters. The Sharif's don't realize that Pak army protects Musharraf and not the Saudi royal family and its only some ties that Mush has with the Royal family. Already we have seen what happend with those who tried to kill Musharraf, died themselves. Yes maybe Saudi royal family is close to Pak army and may do what Sharif wants but the Saudis cannot risk the Pak army turning away from them if Musharraf is hurt by any action of theirs with the Sharifs!
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Jan 26, 2015 05:15am
Let Mushraf travel where ever he wants to go, Mushraf has done good for Pakistan, Nawaz you have done nothing for the country you have brought us misery, no electric no gas no petrol yes you have given us corruption.
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Jan 26, 2015 05:46am
@Javid To escape justice.
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Jan 26, 2015 06:15am
Justice needs to prevail at any circumstances otherwise any one can cheat the system. It does not matter its a Musharraf or someone else.. If a man of power can leave the country to whom he had so many cases and even he wrote in his book of selling people for $$$, he should not be released at all. Killing of any man is not justified at all either its a Lal Masjid case or Bugti case. Justice needs to prevail for the progress of country..
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Jan 26, 2015 06:34am
@Javid
Former President should be tried in pending cases against him and should not be allowed to leave until they are decided. Everyone is equal before the law. Justice must be served. We don't want to set a precedent that rich and powerful can get away with the crimes they commit because no one is above the law.
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Jan 26, 2015 06:37am
@Syed
Ignorance is hazardous to your health.
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Jan 26, 2015 06:51am
@AXH .......dirty politics and politicians
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Jan 26, 2015 07:02am
@El Cid .....what you meant to say was ISIS=Israel secret intel service!
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