DHAKA: Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has been released from house arrest and is free to move around the country, prison officials say.

It comes days after he was bailed over the 2007 army operation to oust militants from Islamabad’s Red Mosque, the last legal case against him.

But the former general remains on a government exit control list and cannot leave the country.

It is also unclear if he will leave the house because of threats to his life, reports the BBC.

Musharraf’s seven-month house arrest was unprecedented in a country which has been ruled by the military for more than half of its history.

Speaking on Tuesday, his lawyer said Musharraf had no intention of leaving Pakistan. He has consistently maintained that all the charges against him are politically motivated.

Prison official Wajad Ali is quoted by media as saying that prison guards were withdrawn on Wednesday night from Musharraf’s villa on the outskirts of Islamabad.

BDST: 1400 HRS, NOV 07, 2013
RoR/BSK