Safe passage sought for Pakistan's embattled President

Islamabad, Aug 15 (UNI) Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has sought safe passage from the government through his aides after resignation, a local media report said today.

Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar disclosed this during a brief media interaction, saying most of details in this regard had been finalised.

''There have been contacts between President Pervez Musharraf's associates and the government aimed at seeking a safe passage for him,'' local daily The News quoted Mr Mukhtar as saying.

He said the aides of Gen Musharraf had approached the government to seek a safe passage for him. Most of the details in this connection had been finalised, Mr Mukhtar said, adding that they would be made public soon.

He said the aides were demanding that the trial of the President should not be held under Article 6 of the Constitution, which deals with high treason.

Mr Mukhtar denied having made any statement in favour of the President, adding that there should be no soft corner for the violators of the Constitution. He said the days of Mr Musharraf were numbered and he himself should quit.

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