WPK-MUSHARRAF-(Read-Only)
Gen Pervez Musharraf Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

Islamabad: Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf may not return to his home country anytime soon due to “significant medical and legal” challenges, his family said.

The family of the ex-president said that they would have to consider “significant medical, legal, and security challenges” before making a decision regarding his return to Pakistan.

Musharraf is currently hospitalised due to a complication of amyloidosis, a rare disease that causes a buildup of abnormal amyloid deposits in the body. “An uninterrupted supply and administration of experimental drug Daratumumab [is] needed alongside associated treatment of amyloidosis that are currently not available in Pakistan,” the family said.

In the message posted on social media, his family also thanked those who through official and unofficial channels endorsed the return of ailing Musharraf to his homeland from the UAE. “We sincerely appreciate these overtures since Pakistan is home” the message read.

Musharraf, who left the country in 2016, has been hospitalised for the last few weeks. Pakistan’s top military leaders and politicians have said that he should be allowed to return to the country, though some have been pressing for accountability.

Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 1999 by then army chief General Musharraf, has called on the coalition government led by his brother Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to facilitate the return of his one-time political adversary.

Armed forces spokesperson also said Pakistan’s army’s official believed that Musharraf should return home and confirmed that his family was in contact with the military regarding his possible return to Pakistan due to his poor health.

The latest media reports suggested the doctors have advised him against flying. One of his close confidants Tariq Aziz told a local newspaper that “Musharraf was keen to return home but his doctors were coming in the way.”

Musharraf came into power in a bloodless coup in 1999. After ruling the country for nine years, he resigned in 2008. He was later put on a treason trial and sentenced to death in absentia for violating the constitution. The death sentence was overturned by Lahore High Court in 2020.