Pakistan Ex-Chief Wants Out Wall Street Journal (01/17/14) Symington, Annabel Pervez Musharraf, who controlled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008 and is facing a number of criminal charges related to his time in power, asked the court on Jan. 15 for permission to seek treatment in the United States for a heart condition. Musharraf was charged with treason in December, but the former general, who took power as part of a military coup, is not expected to be convicted in a country where the military still holds significant sway. The charges stem from a 2007 period of emergency rule Musharraf imposed, which analysts say amounted to a second coup. Allowing him to leave the country for medical treatment could be a way to avoid a ruling in the case. In support of his plea, lawyers submitted a note written by a Texas doctor saying he requires medical treatment at the Paris Regional Medical Center. The court has ordered a medical board from the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology to assess Musharrafs health. A previous medical report showed Musharraf has a common heart condition that could be treated in Pakistan.
Posted on: Fri, 17 Jan 2014 21:10:08 +0000