Musharraf to have medical treatment in London

LONDON: All is set for the arrival of former president General (R) Pervez Musharraf in the British Capital as he was allowed to travel abroad for treatment despite that treason trial against him is pending in the Special Court.

According to local leaders of Musharraf’s All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), the residence of former president at London’s Edgware Road has already been prepared for his stay.

Musharraf had flown to Dubai a few days ago as the government of Pakistan removed his name from ECL on medical grounds after apex court decision. His close aides claim that he will seek medical care in the United Kingdom for a vertebra fusion surgery.

“General (R) Pervez Musharraf will reach London within a week as his doctor in Dubai has already suggested his treatment here,” Muhammad Ali Chauhan, APML Secretary Information told The News here.

He said Doctor Imtiaz had already assessed the medical condition of the former president in Dubai and suggested a few days rest for him there. Musharraf owns a luxury apartment at a posh locality of London, famous for its Kebab shops, Arab and Pakistani restaurants and dazzling Victoria Casino.

According to Chauhan, Musharraf bought the serviced apartment in 2010 out of his earnings from leadership lectures that he had been delivering around the world after his self-imposed exile from Pakistan in 2008. “Pervez Musharraf had been charging up to S$250,000 for one lecture as he was one of the highly paid lecturers in the world,” he said.

Chauhan said APML had been alerted for the arrival of his leader and the party was planning a befitting welcome for former president. “All the local leaders of the APML are eager to welcome their leader,” Ali said adding that logistics for Musharraf’s arrival are being worked out.

As the APML workers are eagerly awaiting Pervez Musharraf in the United Kingdom, other British Pakistanis are expressing mixed opinion about his departure from Pakistan. “I think it is a good political decision by the government. The rift between establishment and the civilian set-up is never in the interest of Pakistan,” said businessman Javed Rizwan Hashmi who lives in West London.

He said Pakistan needed stability and prosperity and better relations between civil-military leadership would ensure that. However, another resident, Tauqeer Khan, was of the view that Pervez Musharraf’s exit showed that law was only for the poor people in Pakistan. “If someone breaks traffic signal, he is punished but one breaking constitution enjoys life of luxury,” he said.