WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: The United States said yesterday it would study any application for asylum by former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf but pointed out that no such plea had been made so far.
“We haven’t been asked to provide him with any asylum or place of residence,” State Department spokesman Robert Wood said amid speculation that the former staunch US “war-on-terror” ally who quit Monday might stay abroad, including in the United States.
“If he chooses to take up residence somewhere, I mean if he were to request that, we would obviously look at it, but it’s not an issue that we’ve been approached with,” Wood explained.
There has been much speculation on what will happen to Musharraf after his resignation in the face of looming criminal charges and whether he will remain in Pakistan.
Leaders of the country’s ruling coalition met yesterday to discuss who should succeed Musharraf as president, but got bogged down over the fate of judges Musharraf purged last year.
How the government deals with his succession — and whether it leads to a power struggle — is a question that is being asked by everyone.
Law Minister Farooq Naek said yesterday that the government had not struck an immunity deal with Musharraf, though supporters and foes suggested he had sought guarantees that he would not face criminal prosecution or be forced into exile.
“There is no deal with the president, and he had himself resigned,” Naek told reporters.
Musharraf did not specify his plans during his emotional farewell speech on Monday, saying only that his future was in the hands of the people. But local media reports have suggested he might leave the country for security reasons: He is despised by religious extremists and is widely unpopular among ordinary Pakistanis.
Indecision at yesterday’s coalition meeting bode ill for the new rulers. The bickering and prospects of more to come are likely to dismay investors and allies.
“If they cannot agree on the restoration of the judges in a matter of days, then clearly something is not right with the coalition,” said Farid Khan, an analyst at Credit Suisse.
“We cannot afford to lose months, or even weeks on these political issues. They need to get to the economy, and only a strong government can take the tough decisions needed for the economy,” said Karachi-based Khan.
