Security stepped up at Pervez Musharraf's farm house near Islamabad
Published: Wednesday, Aug 11, 2010, 12:50 IST
Place: ISLAMABAD | Agency: PTI
Though declared a proclaimed offender by a top court, elaborate security measures are being put in place at former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf's farmhouse in the city outskirts in anticipation of his return home following launching of his political party.
Musharraf, who turns 67 today, and now in self-imposed exile in London will formally initiate his political activities after the holy month of Ramadan, his close aide Fawad Chaudhry was quoted as saying by 'The News'.
Chaudhry did not give exact timings of Musharraf's return home but said, the former Pakistan dictator will brief the national and international press in the last week of September.
With the stocks of both, the ruling PPP and opposition PML-N running low, Musharraf's aides recently launched his new party All Pakistan Muslim League in anticipation of his return. His supporters are also making efforts to unite different factions of the Muslim League, not alligned to former premier Nawaz Sharief.
But, question marks on former Pakistan dictator's return have arisen after the Sindh High Court declared him a proclaimed offender for non-appearance.
Musharraf's farmhouse, located at Chak Shahzad, was not completed before he left Pakistan in April last year after a slew of criminal and legal cases were filed against him for imposing emergency and subverting the constitution during 2007.
Foolproof security arrangements are being made at the farmhouse, which is also being renovated.
"The work for renovation of the farmhouse of the former president, which was temporarily suspended because of his absence from the country, has resumed," the source said.
The source said Col Ilyas, the security officer of Musharraf, will be responsible for all security matters at the farmhouse.
A residential compound for private security guards is being built and the latest security gadgets are being installed at the residence, the source said.
Fawad Chaudhry, a close aide of Musharraf, acknowledged that the farmhouse is being renovated and said steps were being taken to improve its security as it was the residence of a high-profile personality like the former military ruler.
Musharraf will formally initiate his political activities after the holy month of Ramzan, Chaudhry said.
Musharraf will brief the Pakistani and international media about developments in the final week of September, he said.
Musharraf's aides recently launched the All Pakistan Muslim League in anticipation of the former President's return to Pakistan.
They have also made abortive attempts to unite the different factions of the Muslim League.
"The League convention, under the auspices of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional, will prove to be a milestone in the political history of Pakistan," said Chaudhry.
However, the PML-Q has ruled out joining any party headed by Musharraf.
Musharraf also faces threats from militants, including the Taliban and other banned groups that tried to target him several times when he was the President.
He resigned in 2008 to avoid being impeached by the Pakistan People's Party-led government.
Security stepped up at Pervez Musharraf's farm house near Islamabad - World - DNA
