Musharraf embarks on week-long UK visit

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's former President Pervez Musharraf embarked on a week-long trip to Britain on Sunday his first visit abroad since he resigned in August to avoid impeachment by the People's Party-led government.
    
Amidst tight security, the former military ruler and his wife Sehba drove to the Islamabad airport and took a Pakistan International Airlines flight to Britain. Musharraf will travel to London and Cambridge.
    
In London, Musharraf will stay with his friend Brig (retired) Niyaz Ahmed. He will also spend time with family friends in Cambridge.
    
There was no immediate confirmation of Musharraf's plans during his visit. Some reports said he had no plans to deliver lectures or hold meetings with civil society groups during his visit.
    
However, Geo News channel reported that he would address the Cambridge University students union and meet members of various think tanks.
    
Musharraf had last visited Britain in January on his way home from an official tour of four European countries. He stepped down as President on August 18 to avoid impeachment by the PPP-led government. Since then, he has maintained a low profile.
    
During meetings with leaders of the opposition PML-Q which backed him during his rule of nearly nine years, Musharraf has reportedly said he has no plans to re-enter politics. Musharraf's aides have said he has received several offers to deliver lectures abroad.
    
The News daily reported that Musharraf went to the British High Commission on Thursday to formally apply for a visa as he no longer holds a diplomatic passport. He had to go through the usual fingerprinting for the visa application, the report said.