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Pakistan court backs Musharraf request to leave country | Pakistan court backs Musharraf request to leave country |
(35 minutes later) | |
A court in Pakistan 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 Sindh High Court removed Mr Musharraf's name from an exit control list on Thursday. The former leader is currently barred from leaving Pakistan. |
Mr Musharraf is currently on trial for treason. He denies the charges and has described the accusations as politically motivated. | Mr Musharraf is currently on trial for treason. He denies the charges and has described the accusations as politically motivated. |
The government has 15 days to appeal before the order comes into effect. | |
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. | 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 | 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." | 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. | 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. | 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. | Many in Pakistan believe he could flee the country and avoid facing charges, if allowed to travel. |
Barred from standing | |
Mr Musharraf seized power in a coup in 1999, ousting then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. who is now back in power. | |
He named himself president in 2001, but left the country in 2008 after losing elections and facing possible impeachment. | |
He dramatically returned to the country in March 2013 to compete in elections, but was barred from standing. | |
Mr Sharif became prime minister for a third time after winning the 2013 polls. Mr Musharraf now faces a series of court cases. | |
Cases against Mr Musharraf | Cases against Mr Musharraf |
Since Pervez Musharraf's return to Pakistan in March 2013, he has faced four criminal cases but was bailed in all of them. | Since Pervez Musharraf's return to Pakistan in March 2013, he has faced four criminal cases but was bailed in all of them. |
His most serious challenge is a treason case, which bears five charges including suspending the constitution and imposing emergency rule in 2007. He has pleaded not guilty but could face a death sentence if convicted. | His most serious challenge is a treason case, which bears five charges including suspending the constitution and imposing emergency rule in 2007. He has pleaded not guilty but could face a death sentence if convicted. |
He was also charged: | He was also charged: |
• In connection with the 2006 killing of a rebel Baloch politician, Akbar Bugti | • In connection with the 2006 killing of a rebel Baloch politician, Akbar Bugti |
• In connection with the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto | • In connection with the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto |
• For putting nearly 60 senior judges under house arrest in November 2007 | • For putting nearly 60 senior judges under house arrest in November 2007 |
Although he was not formally charged, he is also on bail in connection with the killing of a cleric in the 2007 Red Mosque siege in Islamabad. | Although he was not formally charged, he is also on bail in connection with the killing of a cleric in the 2007 Red Mosque siege in Islamabad. |
Mr Musharraf had ordered troops to storm the mosque after a stand-off with hardline Islamists barricaded inside. The operation left a cleric and more than 100 others dead. | Mr Musharraf had ordered troops to storm the mosque after a stand-off with hardline Islamists barricaded inside. The operation left a cleric and more than 100 others dead. |