Pakistan apex court rejects appeal against Musharraf travelling abroad

Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the government’s two-year-old appeal against a court’s decision to allow former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to

Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the government’s two-year-old appeal against a court’s decision to allow former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to travel abroad, brightening his chances of leaving the country.

Pakistan's former president Pervez Musharraf smiles during a business meeting in New Delhi in this file picture from March 2009. Pakistan's Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the government to lift a ban on travel abroad by the former military ruler, paving the way for him to leave the country. (Reuters File Photo)

Earlier this week, Musharraf had sought a one-time permission to leave the country on medical grounds. He has recently been treated for several medical conditions.

In June 2014, the government had challenged the Sindh high court’s decision to remove Musharraf’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL) in the Supreme Court. Anyone whose name figures in the ECL is barred from travelling out of the country. The list usually includes people who are facing court cases.

In its appeal, the government requested the apex court to suspend the high court’s decision. It also asked the Supreme Court to stop Musharraf from travelling abroad.

During Wednesday’s hearing, a five-judge bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali allowed the government and a special court to take independent decisions regarding Musharraf’s custody in a case of high treason filed against him for imposing emergency in November 2007.

“Take your own decision about this matter,” the Chief Justice told the attorney general. The top court added it has not put any restrictions on Musharraf travelling abroad.

The federal government had including Musharraf in the ECL because it feared he might try to abscond.

Earlier this week, Musharraf was admitted to a private hospital in Karachi after developing back pain. The former army chief was taken to hospital earlier for a check-up and discharged soon after.