Pakistan court says it cannot lift Musharraf travel ban
Pervez Musharraf faces a range of criminal cases, including the murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto
A Pakistani court on Monday said it was unable to lift a travel ban on former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, a day before his trial for treason was due to start.
Musharraf’s lawyer petitioned the Sindh High Court last month to remove the retired general’s name from an “exit control list” (ECL) so he could leave the country to visit his sick mother in Dubai.
The 70-year-old has faced a range of criminal cases since returning from self-imposed exile in March but there have been rumours a deal would be struck to let him leave the country, to avoid the all-powerful military being embarrassed by having its former chief tried by civilians.
Musharraf lawyer AQ Hallipota said the Sindh court in Karachi had ruled that as the government imposed the travel ban, it must decide on whether or not to lift it.
“A two-member bench of the Sindh High Court has ruled that it did not put Musharraf’s name on the ECL,” AQ Halipota said.
He said the court asked the petitioner to contact the appropriate forum – the government.