WASHINGTON: Diplomatic circles in Washington are abuzz with speculation about the fate of Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, but US officials have been conspicuously silent.

Most speculators believe that the former general will be allowed to exit, possibly sometime this week. They also say that his escape will be routed through the court as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif may not like to be seen as the man who opens the door.

“His heart conditions provide a unique opportunity to let him go,” said a western diplomat at a recent diplomatic function in Washington, “even to the Sharif government”.

The diplomat argued that convicting Mr Musharraf on treason charges could put the current government on a collision course with the army “and it will create bad feelings in Washington too”.

But letting him go for treatment abroad “will be a win-win situation for all”, he added.

Some diplomatic sources also claimed that the Americans too were quietly urging the Pakistani government to let Mr Musharraf go but instead of taking a public position on the issue, they were happy with the Saudis taking the lead.

The sources also claimed that the Americans had stayed engaged with both the Saudis and the Pakistanis.

But those who could clarify the situation and end these speculations have remained carefully silent. So far, there have been no comments from the White House or the State Department on this issue. The Pentagon also has stayed out of the debate.