‘Saudi King was surprised to hear Musharraf say his visit is for Pak not for himself’

October 5th, 2009 JEDDAH - Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will not contest the upcoming Punjab election, as part of a deal struck between him and Pervez Musharraf under the guarantee of Saudi King Shah Abdullah. According to the Daily Times, the 2000 deal prevents the PML-N chief from contesting elections or participating in Pakistan's politics till 2010.

September 17th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Interior Advisor Rehman Malik has said that former President General Pervez Musharraf's ouster from the Presidency was a result of negotiations involving some 'friendly countries' and it was wrong to term it as a 'deal'. Malik said the negotiations were in the larger interest of the country and democracy.

September 14th, 2009 LAHORE - Saudi King Abdullah Abdul Aziz has advised PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif to avoid controversial issues and promote reconciliation for the continuation of the democratic system in Pakistan. Sharif, who is in Saudi Arabia, met King Abdullah on Sunday and discussed matters of mutual interest including national, regional and international issues.

September 13th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf Sunday said former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif would not seek his trial for high treason. Sharif has assured King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia that he would respect the agreement (not to call for Musharraf's trial) under Article 6 of Pakistan's constitution, Musharraf told a TV channel.

September 7th, 2009 LAHORE - Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said that his recent meeting with Saudi King Abdullah was a success. "I was accorded full protocol during my visit to Saudi Arabia to meet King Abdullah, I deem him as my elder brother and can contact him whenever I want," a private TV channel quoted Musharraf, as saying.

September 6th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif is likely to visit Saudi Arabia next week to meet King Shah Abdullah, sources said. According to sources, Sharif is likely to reach Riyadh on September 11 to hold talks with King Abdullah and Saudi Intelligence chief Shahzada Muqran.

September 5th, 2009 JEDDAH - Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz has invited Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif and Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to discuss Pakistan's political situation and the issue of former president Pervez Musharraf's trial, the Online news agency reported Saturday. Sources said that Sharif and Chaudhry would go to Saudi Arabia this month to meet King Abdullah, who has also urged Musharraf to avoid taking any step which may vitiate the political climate in Pakistan Musharraf said in London that the Saudi king was worried over the prevailing situation in Pakistan, and wanted the political leadership to demonstrate maturity and responsibility and take steps for the country's development.

September 4th, 2009 LAHORE - Former Pakistan Presidency spokesperson Rashid Qureshi has said former President General Pervez Musharraf's meeting with Saudi King Abdullah has been 'successful', and the outcome of the talks between the two leaders will surface after some days. Qureshi, who was Musharraf's spokesman during his regime, rebutted reports that the former Army General had visited Riyadh to request the Saudi authorities to direct Islamabad to not to pursue high treason charges against him.

September 3rd, 2009 JEDDAH - Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has denied reports that his Saudi Arabia visit was aimed at requesting clemency from being tried under high treason charges, saying he 'asked nothing' for himself during his meeting with King Abdullah. Talking to people representing the Pakistani community here before leaving for London, Musharraf said he discussed only major issues related to Pakistan's development during his meeting.

September 3rd, 2009 RIYADH - Former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has returned to London after his three day visit to Saudi Arabia, and it seems his tour has yielded the desired results. Musharraf, who had a long one to one talk with King Abdullah amid speculations of yet another Saudi-backed political arrangement in Pakistan, was in 'high spirits' after the meeting, sources said.

September 2nd, 2009 AHORE - Expressing concern over the political brickbatting between the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over the trial of former President General Pervez Musharraf, Saudi Arabia has asked the Pakistani leadership to abide by the agreement on Musharraf's immunity from prosecution, and stop the infighting, saying it could further deteriorate the country's situation. Sources privy to the Saudi Royal family said Saudi King, Abdullah, told Interior Advisor Rehman Malik, that Musharraf's trial and altercations between the PPP and the PML-N could further affect Pakistan's political stability.

September 2nd, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The 'royal' treatment being given to former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf during his Saudi Arabia visit has his opponents worried. The special treatment has sparked speculations that Riyadh is trying to use its influence to ask the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to shun its demand for Musharraf's trial under the Article Six of the Constitution.

September 1st, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who recently visited Saudi Arabia, has categorically denied meeting former President Pervez Musharraf. There were reports that Musharraf was in Saudi Arabia and Malik had met him there.

August 1st, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf may be heading former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's way as far as taking refuge outside the country is concerned. Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Aziz Bin Ibrahim said that his country would consider giving political asylum to Musharraf if he asks for it, The Daily Times reports.

April 20th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Former Pakistan President General (r) Pervez Musharraf has said that the United States should not attach any preconditions to its anti-terror aid to Pakistan. The Daily Times quoted Musharraf, as saying that the armed forces and the Pakistan Government should jointly devise a strategy to fight terrorists in the country.