ISLAMABAD, Feb 4: The desire of a cook working for an army unit in Azad Kashmir to give gifts and have friendship with Gen (retired) Pervez Musharraf, the former president, landed him in a police lock-up here on Friday.

Kabir Ali, 30, was spotted by the men of intelligence agencies around the farmhouse of the former president in Shahzad Town with a bag. After he roamed around Musharraf’s house for an hour, the agencies informed the police, which cordoned off the area and arrested him.

As he was carrying a bag, the policemen taking no chances ordered him to lie down. He was also ordered to keep his hands away from the bag.  After taking him into custody, the police searched his bag and found bed-sheets, perfumes, shoes, a jersey, cloths, and a ‘friendship band’.

He was taken to the police station where he told investigators that he was deployed with an army unit in Azad Kashmir as a cook. He showed them his service card. Ali, a native of Azad Kashmir, told police that he was a fan of the former president and came over to his residence to deliver gifts. He said the items were given to him by a major of his unit for the former president.

Besides, he wanted to have a friendship with Muaharraf, saying that is why he brought a special band to tie on the former president’s arm. The police informed the Military Police about him. However, some police officials called Ali a “mentally disturbed person”.