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Pakistan's ex-President Musharraf postpones return: spokesman

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Jan. 19, IRNA -- Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who was scheduled to end his three-year self-exile and to return to the country by end of January, has postponed his arrival in view of the ‘emerging political developments’, his spokesman said on Thursday.

Musharraf, the former Army Chief, has been living in exile in Britain and the United Arab Emirate since he resigned in August 2008, fearing an impeachment by the parliament.

He recently announced that he will return to Pakistan between January 27 and 30 to lead his All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) party in the next general elections in 2013.

Musharraf seized power in 1999 after he dismissed the elected government of Nawaz Sharif hours after he was sacked as the army chief.

Days after he announced to return home, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that Musharraf will be arrested on his return as courts have issued arrest warrants for him.

An anti-terrorism court has issued arrest warrants in connection with the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

In October, a court issued a warrant for his arrest over the killing of Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Bugti in a military operation in August 2006.

Musharraf has denied all charges and insists that he will defend himself in courts. He has had recently invited his legal team to discuss options to deal with the situation. Sources said that lawyers may apply for a pre-arrest bail for Musharraf.

Musharraf had announced that he would land at Karachi airport and would also contest election for the National Assembly seat from the northern Chitral district.

A spokesman for Musharraf’s APML party said that party leader has postponed his return on the advice of several senior party leaders.

Barrister Ali Saif, General Secretary of the APML, said new date of Musharraf’s return will be announced later.

Home Minister in southern Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital has also said, that Musharraf would be arrested from the airport if he landed at Karachi airport as the government has received his arrest warrant.

**1412
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30773179