Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had offered a “deal” to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to stay out of the country but the ex-dictator declined, a close aide of the erstwhile strongman sai
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had offered a “deal” to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to stay out of the country but the ex-dictator declined, a close aide of the erstwhile strongman said on Sunday.
Ahmed Raza Kasuri, a senior lawyer and leader of Mr Musharraf’s All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), said the former military ruler’s departure to Dubai for “medical treatment” was not a result of any deal.
“The government tried to hammer out a deal with Pervez Musharraf before his departure but he refused the offer. Gen. Musharraf called me before leaving. He said government wanted to strike a deal but I declined,” said Mr Kausri.
He said Mr Musharraf — who flew to Dubai on Thursday after the government lifted the travel ban on him — will return to Pakistan and national politics after his recovery from ailment.
The former military ruler is facing a slew of court cases on different charges, including high treason for subverting the Constitution in 2007.
Interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the government removed Mr Musharraf’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL) in compliance with the Supreme Court orders. “He (Pervez Musharraf) has been allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment. His lawyers have committed before the apex court that he will return after four to six weeks,” Mr Khan said.
Mr Musharraf’s name was put on the ECL after he returned to Pakistan in 2013, hoping to lead his party in the general elections. He was, however, disqualified from contesting the polls and found himself fighting an array of charges relating to his time in power from 1999 to 2008.
A senior government official said the three-judge special court trying Mr Musharraf for treason would continue proceedings in absentia. The court has already indicted Musharraf, and there is no need for his presence in the court anymore, he added.
