Qureshi denies issuing protocol directives for Musharraf in London

Islamabad, Aug. 7 (ANI): Islamabad has not issued any directives to the Pakistan High Commission in London to give special protocol privileges to former Pakistan President General (r) Pervez Musharraf, the country's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said.

The Daily Times quoted Qureshi, as saying that the Asif Ali Zardari Government has no international pressure to initiate Musharraf's trial, adding that there was a procedure for giving protocol to former rulers.

Qureshi also denied having "any knowledge" about the deployment of serving security officers for Musharraf's security.

Earlier it was reported that 12 officers of the Pakistan Army have been deputed at former president Pervez Musharraf's luxurious residence on Edgware Road, London, for his security and for providing him daily services.

According to sources, this team is being paid a huge amount per month from the national exchequer.

The News quoted former Chief of the Army staff (COAS) Mirza Aslam Beg, as saying that according to the rules and regulations of the Pakistan Army, no such protocol was permissible for an ex-Army chief.

Beg held the present government responsible for this, saying the Army chief could not do so on his own.

Meanwhile, a preliminary investigation carried out by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's office has found no ground to Musharraf's claim that his orders to repeal the government in 2007 was in line with the then prime minister, provincial governors and top military commanders, The News reports.

"I talked to the officials of the presidency concerned but none of them remember to have seen any written advice or recommendation forwarded by any authority to Musharraf and proposing him to do what he did on Nov 3, 2007," presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.

He said the presidency may have to dig deep into its official record to finally rule if Musharraf was advised by any military or civil authority to abrogate the Constitution and sack more than 60 judges.

A retired lieutenant general has categorically said that none of the Army commanders had ever advised Musharraf impose the emergency-cum-martial law on November 3, 2007.

He added that none of the army corporals backed his decision to support Washington's-led war on terror. (ANI)