Musharraf trial an internal matter, says Pakistan

 The Foreign Office said on Friday that former president Pervez Musharraf’s trial on treason charges was an internal matter that would not concern the international community.

“It is a domestic issue. I don’t think it concerns anyone outside Pakistan, not in the region or outside,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said in reply to a question about the former military ruler’s trial. The comments were, however, not included in the transcript of the weekly briefing issued afterwards.

The spokesperson dismissed speculations that Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal’s upcoming visit pertained to the future of Mr Musharraf.

“This is normal interaction between states. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan enjoy a very close relationship and this would be the first high-level visit after the new government in Pakistan took office,” Ms Aslam said.

The Saudi foreign minister is arriving on Monday on a two-day visit during which he would be meeting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Mamnoon Hussain and Adviser to PM on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz.