Aides advise Mush against return

Musharraf, who had consulted legal luminaries to represent him in the Supreme Court in his defence, has made a sudden about turn to defer his return to Pakistan, fuelling speculation whether he would come back to the country to face trial.

The Supreme Court had last week asked Muhsarraf to appear before it and explain his action of imposing Emergency in 2007 and sacking of 60 judges, including Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhary.

The News reported on Monday that Musharraf was advised by his aides to delay his return as they feel that his adversaries may drag him to court on various counts and also because some extremist groups have become active in the wake of speculation regarding his coming back to Pakistan.

The former army chief has been consulting his aides, including legal experts and serving and retired military personnel, since the Supreme Court issued the notice asking him to explain his actions at a hearing scheduled for July 29. It is not binding for Musharraf to appear personally in court and he has hired lawyers to represent him.

A petition is likely to be submitted by one of his counsel before the Supreme Court seeking the adjournment of the matter so that Musharraf can study the case, the report said.