Pakistan’s former military ruler General (Retd) Parvez Musharraf resigned in 2008 after remaining in power for 10 years after being offered safe exit deal by then ruling and opposition parties.

Islamabad, July 12/Nationalturk – Pakistan’s former prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has revealed that country’s former military ruler General (Retd) Parvez Musharraf resigned in 2008 after being offered a safe exit deal.

“It wasn’t possible to take resignation from a powerful military president without the assistance of establishment (army). After decision of impeachment of then President Pervez Musharraf by the PPP and PML-N in the parliament in 2008, the establishment held talks with him, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and other political forces on the issue,” Gilani told reporters.

He said after talks with the establishment, it was agreed that Musharraf would be provided a safe exit from the country if he stepped down from the Presidency. “He was offered a safe exit from the country under an agreement.”

After the deal, Musharraf resigned from the presidency and left the country. However, he returned in March 2013 to contest elections but since then has been caught in legal battles including one charging him under high treason law for suspending country’s constitution.

Musharraf ousted Nawaz Sharif’s government in 1998 in a bloodless coup and ruled country till 2008.

‘Pakistan’s present PM, his party was part of deal’

“Pakistan’s current Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s party PML-N was part of the process of talks and the deal on this matter,” Gilani said adding after signing the deal, Nawaz Sharif should not have violated it.

He revealed that establishment (army) had also taken Nawaz Sharif into confidence at the time of striking the deal for Musharraf’s safe exit.

“Nawaz should not have taken any step against Musharraf,” former PM said .

He said it was decided to give Musharraf a safe passage without any hurdles. “The PML-N leadership had also endorsed this idea. Now, the PML N government has started opening new cases against Musharraf, which I think is not good omen.”

Gilani said all those, who were part of the negotiations, should abide by the agreement.

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Asia News/ NationalTurk Pakistan News