LONDON – UK-based journalists working for Pakistani print and broadcast media organisations were not allowed to cover a speech of former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf in Manchester. Musharraf was chief guest at a function organised by All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) UK on Wednesday at Manchester. Former President Musharraf, for the first time left London since the issuance of his arrest warrants by a Pakistani court hearing the Benazir Bhutto murder case. APML party sources told Pakistan Today that decision to bar Pakistani media was taken by the party’s UK chapter president Shahid Altaf to avoid any embarrassment to Musharraf. Shahid feared that journalists might ask harsh questions. Shahid’s move, the source said was also disliked by the Musharraf. When contacted, Shahid Altaf said that he arranged the Manchester programme in his personal capacity and it was his own discretion to invite the guests.
