AMagazine Reported: He was once a flamboyant figure, someone who was often spotted flitting between London and Pakistan. But Pakistan's former president, Pervez Musharraf has been lying low since he quit the post. Even his latest visit to England has so far, been very low profile.The former president arrived in London on a regular Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight. He was received by a handful of people, no one more senior than the deputy high commissioner of the Pakistani embassy in the UK.
There were no cameras, and almost no mention of Musharraf's visit in the British media. The foreign office has said that they know of no official reason for his visit.
Sources close to Musharraf, have described his visit as a strictly private one.
The contrast could not have been more striking. Just months ago, Pervez's visit to the UK was one of the most widely covered visits by any foreign leader. He was the man who held the key to Pakistan's destiny, and some would say, the world's stability.
Musharraf met the British PM Gordon Brown and addressed a joint press conference. While 10 Downing street laid out the red carpet for him, Whitehall was brimming with protestors led by Jemima Khan, asking Musharraf to step down.
They didn't realise that Pervez Musharraf's journey, from Pakistan's president and army chief, to a civilian, would be this short.
Musharraf's latest England visit is his first abroad since he quit the post of president. It comes amidst much speculation that he is planning on settling in the UK and is not intending to return to Pakistan.
