Govt kick-starts process to bring back Musharraf to Pak: Rehman Malik

Pakistan's top investigative agency FIA has been directed to write to Interpol for the issuance of a Red Corner Notice against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf so that he can be brought back to the country to face trial, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said today.

The procedure for obtaining the Red Corner Notice has started and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will approach Interpol within the next few days so that Musharraf can be arrested and brought back to Pakistan to face the charge of alleged involvement in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Malik told reporters on the sidelines of an official function.

"We have started the procedure and we will bring Musharraf back to the country soon with a Red Corner Notice issued through Interpol," he said.

Malik had announced on Wednesday that the government would bring Musharraf back to Pakistan to face trial for his alleged role in failing to provide adequate security to Bhutto at the time of her assassination in 2007.

He had said that several notices were served on the former dictator through the Pakistan High Commission in London and the government would seek a Red Corner Notice from Interpol to bring him back to Pakistan.

Musharraf, who has been living in self-exile in London and Dubai since 2009, has denied allegations that he was in any way involved in the assassination of Bhutto and said he was willing to face the courts.