DHAKA: A Pakistan court on Monday granted bail to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf over a deadly raid on a radical mosque, bringing closer his possible release after more than six months of house arrest.

The ruling by an Islamabad district court means Musharraf is on bail in all the cases brought against him since his return to Pakistan from self-imposed exile, including one relating to the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

But the 70-year-old is likely to remain under heavy guard at his villa on the edge of Islamabad, where he has been under house arrest since April, because of serious threats to his life.

His name is currently on the interior ministry’s ‘exit control list’, which means he cannot leave Pakistan without the approval of the government, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1759 HRS, NOV 04, 2013
RoR/GCP