Musharraf to return to Pakistan on May 1: lawyer

E-Paper | October 12, 2026

Musharraf to return to Pakistan on May 1: lawyer

Javed Hussain Published April 27, 2019

The former president's lawyer says his client will appear before a special court on May 2 to answer to charges of high treason. — File

Retired Gen Pervez Musharraf will be returning to Pakistan on May 1, his lawyer said on Saturday citing family members of the former president.

"According to Pervez Musharraf's family members, he is returning to Pakistan on May 1 despite his poor health," his legal counsel Salman Safdar said as he confirmed that his client will appear before the court on May 2.

Analysis: Trying the king and his men

On March 31, 2014, the special court had indicted Musharraf for suspending the Constitution on November 3, 2007.

He had left the country in March 2016 for Dubai for medical treatment of his back, but never returned despite promising that he would. He was later declared an absconder for his failure to appear before the court despite multiple summons.

It is pertinent to mention here that last month a special court had ordered Musharraf to appear before it on May 2. His counsel has subsequently put forth Musharraf's request to appear in court on May 13 instead.

"If he can come to court on May 13, Musharraf can also appear before the court on May 2. If he doesn't, the court will pass an appropriate order regarding recording his statement," Justice Tahira had said, warning that he would otherwise lose the right of defence.

Special court summons Musharraf in high treason case on May 2

Musharraf shifted to Dubai hospital after 'reaction' from rare disease

Treason case: SC to intervene if special court fails to decide how to record Musharraf's statement

Ijaz

Apr 27, 2019 09:51pm

He has been returning more times than I have eaten biryani these past 5 years

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Ali Sabir

Apr 27, 2019 10:01pm

He will return May 1. Right.

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Gordon D. Walker

Apr 27, 2019 10:04pm

Excellent... Face the music! Gordon D. Walker Canada

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Must learn

Apr 27, 2019 10:07pm

Welcome home the great leader Gen(r)Musharraf. He will face the concocted charges which inshallah will be dropped. Gen(r) Musharraf can say in court that his rule was beneficial to nation vis.a.vis.Nawaz rule. Atleast people are utterly disappointed by Sharif’s rule + Zardari hegemony over Sindh. The biggest good news expected on arrival of Gen((r) Musharraf will bring down dollar value, the economy will improve, confidence will be restored.

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Concerned

Apr 27, 2019 10:16pm

Ya all deals done His people r in power right now

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Ahsan Gul

Apr 27, 2019 10:19pm

Good for Mushrif. He served his country and these corrupt Shriefs labeled him not loyal to Pakistan?

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Sid

Apr 27, 2019 10:40pm

Great patriotic leader... hope these fake cases are dropped soon.. the only real case he should face is why he let NS off the hook. That problem should have been nipped in the bud in 1999.

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Prateik

Apr 27, 2019 11:00pm

He will be arrested when he arrives here.

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Umar Bin Ayaz

Apr 27, 2019 11:10pm

Havent we heard this statement tens of times earlier already?

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this again?

Apr 27, 2019 11:20pm

@Ijaz , i agree!!

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M. Saeed

Apr 27, 2019 11:23pm

Obviously, there must be some arrangements made for his safety in Pakistan and his future endeavors.

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MSAlvi

Apr 27, 2019 11:33pm

He is a hero - must be received with some fanfare. He is no less than Nawaz.

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A. ALI

Apr 27, 2019 11:45pm

He won't come back... If at all he comes back, then nawaz needs a hiding as Musharraf will indeed unfold many of 3 times ex pm, corruption stories...

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Uzair

Apr 27, 2019 11:47pm

@Ahsan Gul, he did let both NS and Benazir in again when he didn't have to, but only he wanted to extend is rule. So, he partly is to blame for them.

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Noman

Apr 28, 2019 12:05am

No need for him to return. His first coming bacjk before the 2013 election was also a bad idea.He has no political agenda as he has left his position of his party. His health seems not good to lead any party. best for Pakistan and him that he stay out of Pakistan in peace.

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ARSHAD JAMIL

Apr 28, 2019 12:09am

Leave him alone.

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MONIER

Apr 28, 2019 12:20am

Sick man of Dubai. He better stay there.

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Rafiq

Apr 28, 2019 12:21am

Brave soldier. Fight the legal battle.

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Mumtaz Ahmed Shah

Apr 28, 2019 01:12am

General (Rtd)Musharaf 's decission is in right direction. Hope he would be freed from all false charges framed by Nawaz Shareef on his ulterior motives.We pray for his health and long life as Pakistan economy flourished in his tenure.(Texas)

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Danish

Apr 28, 2019 01:26am

Why not will get the full protocol by gov 50% ministers in Gov is former mushraf partners.Home minister to information minister . Return of Mushraf 2019.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Apr 28, 2019 01:43am

General Parvaiz Musharraf is a great and honest man. He is genuinely sick. Please let him recover first. This man has done a lot for us. The nation misses your leadership and golden era General Parvaiz Musharraf. Prayers for your good health.

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Hamid Ullah Khan

Apr 28, 2019 01:57am

I don't think he needs or wants to return. He is unwell and old. With what he has he is living comfortably and has many well wishers and friends who visit him and help keep his morale up. It would help if he were to visit his birth place and meet whoever the new PM will be of India come end of May. If he makes his approach in a friendly way instead of challenging and offensive way it would help PTI government cement relationship with India which is more important for our long term prosperity and peace than CPEC and China relationship will ever be.

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Imtiaz Ali Khan

Apr 28, 2019 02:17am

Great leader of Pakistan. Honorable President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf. Welcome you back and thank you for your great leadership.

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Ali

Apr 28, 2019 02:23am

@Gordon D. Walker, He did what he had to at the time and place of necessity Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely In other words SMART !

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Patriots

Apr 28, 2019 03:13am

We have had enough of Musharraf's politics. No more, thanks.

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Aamir

Apr 28, 2019 03:21am

Come and face courts and rule of law same as civilian PMs do!

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Kashif abid

Apr 28, 2019 03:24am

A most sincere leader Pakistani people didn't value.

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Ali khan

Apr 28, 2019 03:27am

He is really sick, beyond anyone can imagine. He is coming to face the courts and they can decide what they want after seeing this condition. Let’s hope for the best, for me he was a good leader at a tough time.

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Laila

Apr 28, 2019 03:29am

Sure, May 1st. Let me circle that in the calender and place my bets.

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Mohsin Malik

Apr 28, 2019 03:43am

Musharraf is returning on May 1, 20XX. That XX could be 99.

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MAGAMAN

Apr 28, 2019 04:15am

Hope his(the Commando's) back is better after three years.

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Jameel

Apr 28, 2019 05:16am

@Ahsan Gul, are you serious, please be fair. He served the country for his own gains. Lets be honest, he smells of corruption and he has misused his power, he should be charged with full force but 'oh wait' law and order is for the poor not for rich and powerful in my country. Tell CJP should order to roll out the red carpet, one of their own is coming back. Drum rolling......

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Apr 28, 2019 05:38am

Question is why did it took years to get treated for him?

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Malik

Apr 28, 2019 05:55am

So this was the NRO IK keeps chiding about!!

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Fareed N

Apr 28, 2019 06:19am

He is returning to Pakistan, a political chess game. A full General in the court , political pundits , chatterboxes will declare it a victory of justice. The end result, a hooplas for a couple of week. Who is going to bell the cat?

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Sanjeev Aggarwal

Apr 28, 2019 06:43am

Musharaf is not going to return I bet. He will back off for one reason or the other at last moment.

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LAHORI KID

Apr 28, 2019 07:07am

It was PML-N, Nawaz Sharif who wanted to take revenge against Musharraf for dethroning him, which was a great service he did for the people of Pakistan, look where we are because of Nawaz Sharif financially, which he was around to do the same with Zardari.

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Apr 28, 2019 07:07am

It seems this May 1st he will be here.. Otherwise Judge Tahira stands ready to pass a final judgment on him. General Saheb - it's time for you to face your demons. Hence you must return home. Facing the court will restore your respect amongst your people here. No need to stay abroad any longer.

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LAHORI KID

Apr 28, 2019 07:11am

Remember where the Rupee was against the Dollar? Remember where the economy was when Musharraf was in power? Remember the country has surplus when he was in charge? Of course not, no one remembers the good days, everyone whines about him being a dictator, well I for one, if those are the results a dictator brings compared to a so called elected PM, so be it. Proof is in the pudding, no Musharraf didn't do everything right, he has admitted some of his mistakes too.

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Chowkidar Zak

Apr 28, 2019 07:50am

His disease has progressed. He doesn't have must to live. May be another six months so he is coming here to die.

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Ghani K

Apr 28, 2019 08:05am

Can anyone touch a full general ? Never in the history of Pakistan. The brotherhood among generals is stronger than any othe bond.

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Ejaz

Apr 28, 2019 08:12am

This is the right time of his return to Pakistan as all the institutions at this time are in his favor.He will be acquitted from all charges.