Pervez Musharraf likely to travel to Karachi

Islamabad: Pakistan`s embattled former military dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf is likely to leave for a "short visit" to Karachi on Saturday.

"Yes, he is going to Karachi for two-three days. He will be back in Islamabad," a source close to Mushharaf said. During his stay in Karachi, 70-year-old Musharraf is expected to meet family, friends and his party All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) office-bearers. It was earlier reported that Musharraf is likely to be shifted to Karachi`s PNS Shifa hospital for treatment. Officials close to him had denied such a move. However, he may visit the hospital today for a check-up. Musharraf is currently staying at his farmhouse on the outskirts of Islamabad which is heavily guarded. Recently, a bomb-proof wall was also erected around its perimeter. His farmhouse has been declared as a "satellite facility" of the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology where he was admitted for three months. The former president was admitted to the AFIC on January 2 when he complained of heart problems on his way to a special court set up for his high treason trial for abrogating the constitution and detaining judges in 2007. Musharraf last year returned to Pakistan from exile before the May general elections but since then he has been based in either Rawalpindi or Islamabad. His name is currently on Interior Ministry`s Exit Control List and he cannot leave Pakistan but is allowed to travel within the country.