Musharraf may leave Pak to visit ailing mother in Dubai

Former President Pervez Musharraf, currently detained over several high profile cases, may leave Pakistan a day ahead of Nawaz Sharif's election as the premier to visit his ailing mother in Dubai, according to a media report on Monday.

Musharraf could leave for Dubai on Tuesday evening to see his 95-year-old mother, who has been admitted to hospital after developing a "serious health problem," The News daily quoted its sources as saying.

The sources were quoted as saying that an application for bail would be taken up by courts today and Musharraf would ask the court to allow him to travel to Dubai immediately to visit his mother.

Musharraf's request for bail in a case over the killing of Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Bugti in a 2006 military operation would be taken up by another court on Thursday, a day after Sharif assumes the office of prime minister.

Musharraf would not be required to appear personally for the plea in court for grant of bail, the report said. However, the report quoted sources in the interior ministry and the office of the director general for immigration and passports, as saying that there was no truth in reports about Musharraf being allowed to travel abroad unless the apex court issues an order for the same.

The speculation in this regard is baseless, the sources said.

The former military ruler was arrested shortly after he returned to Pakistan from self-exile in March to contest the May 11 general elections. A court subsequently barred Musharraf from contesting polls for the rest of his life.

In view of threats to his life, Musharraf is being held at his farmhouse on the outskirts of Islamabad, which has been declared a "sub-jail". Musharraf's name was also included on the exit control list on April 7 to prevent him from travelling out of Pakistan.

A circular was issued to authorities at all exit points, including airports, not to let the former president leave the country.

Later, the Supreme Court also directed authorities to ensure that Musharraf does not leave the country. The order came after a bench took up petitions seeking Musharraf's trial on a charge of high treason for violating the constitution.

Musharraf came to power in 1999 by deposing Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif's previous government in a military coup. Sharif has said action should be taken under the law against Musharraf for his actions.