To offer condolences: Musharraf may be allowed to visit Saudi Arabia

ISLAMABAD: The government is considering allowing former president Pervez Musharraf to travel to Saudi Arabia to offer condolences to the royal family over the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

The former military dictator, who, like Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family, enjoys close ties with the Saudi royal family, has written a letter to the interior ministry requesting that his name be removed from the Exit Control List (ECL). “General (retd) Pervez Musharraf is desirous of visiting Saudi Arabia to express his heartfelt condolences over the sad demise of King Abdullah,” reads the letter written by Advocate Faisal Hussain on behalf of the former president.
“That is why we have asked the government to remove Musharraf sahib’s name from the ECL,” chief coordinator of Musharraf’s All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Ahmed Raza Kasuri told The Express Tribune on Friday. He said the party was in contact with all stakeholders over the issue.
A close aide of Premier Nawaz said the government could consider the request seriously. “King Abdullah’s sad demise is something which matters greatly for Pakistan. The government might let him [Musharraf] fly to Saudi Arabia,” he told The Express Tribune. He added, however, that any such decision would be taken after consulting the ministries of law and interior.
Some believe allowing Musharraf to go abroad could provide the government and other stakeholders some ‘face saving’ as they move past an issue – treason trial of the former president – which has caused much friction between the country’s civil and military establishment.