Musharraf may seek court’s nod to visit ailing mother in Dubai

Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, currently detained at his luxury villa outside Islamabad over several cases, is seeking to leave Pakistan on Tuesday, a day ahead of Nawaz Sharif's swearing-in as the Prime Minister, to visit his ailing mother in Dubai, according to Pakistan media reports today.

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 International quoted its sources as saying.

The sources were quoted as saying that an application for bail would be taken up by courts on Tuesday for this purpose. Musharraf is currently restrained from leaving the country.

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.

The report also quoted sources in the interior ministry and the office of the director-general for immigration and passports as saying that there was question of Musharraf travelling abroad unless the Supreme Court issues an order for this.

The former military ruler was arrested shortly after he returned to Pakistan from self-exile in March to contest the 11 May general elections. The courts debarred him from contesting elections for the rest of his life; and his party won only one seat in the National Assembly.

Musharraf's name was also included on the Exit Control List on 7 April 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 PML-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.