Musharraf cannot return to Pakistan due to unspecified illness: Party
Pakistan's former dictator General Pervez Musharraf is "growing weaker rapidly" due to an unspecified illness and cannot return to face the treason case now, said Muhammad Amjad, ex-Chairman of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), a political party floated by Musharraf in 2010. Musharraf, 75, who has been living in Dubai since 2016, is facing a high-profile treason case for suspending Constitution in 2007.
Musharraf has to visit London every 3 months for check-up
"Pervez Musharraf had a fracture in his spine, for which he got treated in the USA. But nowadays he is being treated for a separate ailment. For this, he has to go to London every three months," Amjad said after a party meeting yesterday.
Will tell court about Musharraf's ailment with documentation: Amjad
"We cannot tell the nation about the ailment right now but we'll tell the court about it and also present its documentation to the Chief Justice," Amjad said. "Musharraf is growing weaker rapidly so we cannot put his life at risk," he added. Amjad said Musharraf would return to Pakistan but on the guarantee that he would be allowed to leave Pakistan for treatment.
Tried to bring Musharraf back but hurdles were created: Amjad
Amjad, the former Federal Minister, claimed that the party tried to bring Musharraf back to the country before the July 25 general elections but "hurdles were created in his way". He reiterated that Musharraf, the tenth President of Pakistan, wants to appear before the court and is in consultation with his legal team to decide when and how to return, the Dawn newspaper reported.
Failing to appear before court, Musharraf has been declared absconder
The former Army Chief Pervez Musharraf has been declared an absconder due to his persistent failure to appear before a special trial court set up to try him in the case. Last month, Pakistan's Supreme Court assured Musharraf that high-level security will be provided to him if he returns to the country to face the trial in the treason case.
Treason for suspending Constitution, fugitive in Benazir murder case
Musharraf was indicted in 2014 on treason charges for suspending the Constitution and imposing emergency which led to the home confinement of a number of superior court judges and sacking of over 100 judges. A conviction for high-profile treason carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. Musharraf was also declared a fugitive in the Benazir Bhutto murder case and Red Mosque cleric killing case.
