Pakistani PM says courts to decide Musharraf's fate

ISLAMABAD - Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Saturday that courts will decide the fate of former President Pervez Musharraf who currently faces high treason charges.

The comments came amid rumours that the former President could leave Pakistan under an exile deal and with the help of some friendly countries.

Section of the media has also reported that the Saudi Foreign Minister, who is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on Monday, is likely to raise the issue of Musharraf during his talks.

The Foreign Ministry denied any link of the Saudi FM visit to the Musharraf case and said it is Pakistan's internal matter.

Musharraf was taken to a military hospital on Thursday when he was heading to a special court to stand in the high treason case, his lawyers said. ?

The former military president is still under treatment at the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology and doctors said his medical tests report was sent to Britain on Saturday.

Some defense lawyers of Musharraf had hinted that their client could be sent abroad if doctors recommend his treatment outside Pakistan.

Musharraf's name is still on the list of those people who cannot leave the country without government permission.

Musharraf's wife, Sehba Musharraf, on Saturday approached the Interior Ministry for removal of his name from the Exit Control List. She pleaded that the family members want to shift Musharraf to other country for treatment.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said the name of former President Pervez Musharraf will not be excluded from Exit Control List.

He told the media that Musharraf's case is in the court and he should contest the case, adding "Musharraf has not respected the law in the past and he is not respecting law now."

As Pakistan is in the grip of strong speculations that Musharraf could leave the country, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that courts will decide fate of the former military leader.

Musharraf has been accused of committing high treason when he had suspended the constitution after he imposed emergency on November 3 in 20017.

"The case is before the court of law and it would not be appropriate to say something on it, but putting aside merits of the case he would say the state of Pakistan and the Constitution are plaintiff in this case," the Prime Minister said, according to the PM office.

The Prime Minister said it has to be decided by the court if someone was innocent or not, adding it is for the court to decide whether Musharraf's action of November 3 fell under the purview of the Article-6 of the Constitution, which deals with high treason.

Legal experts say that high treason carries death penalty or life imprisonment under the Pakistani laws.