Pakistani military ruler General Pervez Musharraf left Monday on a brief visit to the United Arab Emirates for talks with President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, officials said.
"The basic purpose of his visit is to enquire about the health of the UAE president" who is recovering from surgery, they said.
Musharraf will convey "sentiments of good wishes of the people of Pakistan and wish Sheikh Zayed good health," the official Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.
Sheikh Zayed, 82, recently underwent a kidney transplant in the United States.
The UAE reportedly backed Saudi Arabia's efforts to secure a pardon for deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who was dramatically released from prison and exiled to Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Sharif, toppled in a bloodless coup in October last year, had been serving lengthy prison terms for hijacking and tax evasion.
APP said Musharraf would discuss bilateral relations with the UAE president, which would "contribute to further strengthening of bilateral ties."
He is expected to return to Islamabad late Monday -- ISLAMABAD (AFP)
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