DHAKA: A Pakistani court on Wednesday granted bail to former military dictator Pervez Musharraf in a ruling which takes him a step closer to being released from house arrest.

Musharraf’s fate has been subject to speculation since he became the first former army chief to be arrested this year, breaking an unwritten rule that the top ranks of the military are untouchable, even after they have retired.

‘The bail application is accepted, pending payment of two bail bonds of 1 million rupees ($9,400) each,’ the Supreme Court ruled, reports The Jerusalem Post.

Musharraf faces an array of court cases which prevent him from leaving the country but many observers believe a face-saving reason for his departure, possibly on grounds of ill health, will be found.

BDST: 1735 HRS, OCT 09, 2013
RoR/GCP