Musharraf postpones homecoming over security

ISLAMABAD: Former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf has postponed his return to the country over security concerns, sources informed Geo News on Monday.

The former president, ordered to appear before a special court in the next hearing of a high treason case against him, informed of his decision to persons close to him in Pakistan. Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, however, issued a statement soon after reports of Musharraf's decision to postpone his visit to Pakistan were aired by the media, stating that security should not be a concern for the former president. "The government will provide Musharraf with security as prescribed by the law," Iqbal said. "Security should not be a concern for him. He should continue with his plans to return to the country without any hesitation."

The defendant’s legal counsel Advocate Akhter Shah also expressed distrust in the interior ministry for the provision of foolproof security to his client. Shah said he could not advise his client to return to the country till he was satisfied with the security arrangements for Musharraf. Sources had said that the Ministry of Defence on Saturday refused to provide security to Musharraf upon his return to Pakistan.

According to a letter sent to Musharraf's lawyer, a copy of which is available with Geo News, the "provision of security under the subject case does not fall under the purview of the Ministry of Defence".

Shah had confirmed the receipt of the letter and stated that he would raise the issue, again, in the special court hearing the treason case against the former president and army chief. Shah also expressed distrust on the interior ministry's ability to provide foolproof security to Musharraf.

A notification issued by the interior ministry on March 19, in response to a plea by Musharraf’s lawyer requesting security, the ministry had said it was willing to provide security to the former president.

The defendant's legal counsel, however, had said the interior ministry could not be trusted with providing security to his client as the ministry itself had levelled charges against Musharraf.