Musharraf returns to Pakistan after self-imposed Dubai exile

DUBAI// Pervez Musharraf, the former president of Pakistan, arrived in Karachi this morning on a flight from Dubai.

Mr Musharraf boarded an Emirates flight at around 9.40am along with 250 people including Pakistani and international media as well as members of his political party.

"We have just landed at Karachi and there are a lot of people here, said Khurram Haris, Mr Musharraf's media aide, speaking to The National a few minutes after the plane arrived.

"We are still going through the airport and it is very busy."

Mr Musharraf decided to return from four years of self-imposed exile to contest the country's elections later this year.

In his most recent twitter update Mr Musharraf said: "The plane is approaching Karachi. Finally, I am coming home. Pakistan First!"

Media in Pakistan have reported that a rally scheduled to take place in Karachi for Mr Musharraf's All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) may have to be cancelled after a withdrawal of permission from police due to safety concerns.

Before his return Mr Musharraf received death threats in a video message posted online by Adnan Rasheed, a militant who was among 385 inmates freed when Taliban fighters stormed a Pakistani jail last April, and who has tried before to assassinate the former president.

It is unclear at this stage if Mr Musharraf will be arrested upon his return over allegations that he failed to provide enough protection for Benazir Bhutto, the ex prime minister who was assassinated in 2007.

Mr Musharraf came to power in a military coup in 1999. He was president from 2001 to 2008 and has since been in self-imposed exile.

nhanif@thenational.ae

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What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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