Pakistan court backs Musharraf request to leave country

BBC: A Pakistan court has backed ex-military ruler Pervez Musharraf’s request to leave the country. The Sindh High Court removed Mr Musharraf’s name from an exit control list on Thursday. The former leader is currently barred from leaving Pakistan. The government has 15 days to appeal before the order comes into effect. Mr Musharraf is currently on trial for treason. He denies the charges and has described the accusations as politically motivated. Pakistan’s military is watching the trial of the former general closely – correspondents say they are concerned over the precedent the trial could set in a country with a history of military rule. House arrest On Thursday, Mr Musharraf’s lawyer Farogh Naseem said: “The court has allowed our appeal and ordered to strike down Musharraf’s name from the Exit Control List. The order will be executed after 15 days.” Mr Musharraf is currently under house arrest. He was admitted to hospital for chest pain in January. In April, the Interior Ministry turned down his request to end a travel ban preventing him from leaving the country, to visit his sick mother in Dubai. Many in Pakistan believe he could flee the country and avoid facing charges, if allowed to travel. Mr Musharraf was president from 2001 to 2008. He left the country after losing the 2008 elections, facing possible impeachment. He dramatically returned to the country in March 2013 to compete in elections, but was barred from standing and now faces a series of court cases. In addition to five charges of treason, Mr Musharraf faces criminal charges in connection with the killings of two politicians, and putting dozens of senior judges under house arrest in 2007. He is also on bail in connection with the killing of a cleric in the 2007 Red Mosque siege in Islamabad.