ISLAMABAD: Former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf has deferredhis return to Pakistan over security concerns after Ministry of Defencerefused to provide him security on his possible arrival to face the treasoncase being prosecuted in a special court here, sources said.

Sources said Pervez Musharraf has apprised his close comrades in Pakistanabout his decision to postpone his return.

Meanwhile, Musharraf’s counsel Akhtar Shah has said that they could nottrust Ministry of Interior for the security of his client, adding that tilladequate security measures he could not advice the former president toreturn to Pakistan.

Musharraf is in self-imposed exile since he left Pakistan on March 18,2016, only hours after his name was removed from Exit Control List (ECL).

In February, Musharraf once again vowed to make a return to Pakistansaying, “I want to take part in the general elections few months later” inan interview to a private TV channel. However, the special court has alsorestarted its proceedings against him and ordered him to return.

In this context, Akhtar Shah, Advocate, had stated that his client is readyto make a comeback provided he is given proper security. On the orders ofthe special court, Akhtar Shah wrote two separate letters to the interiorand defence ministries for security.

On March 16, a special court, hearing high treason case, has ordered arrestof General Musharraf through Interpol