Musharraf's return to Pakistan up in air

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, May 7 (UPI) -- Whether former President Pervez Musharraf will return to Pakistan during the ongoing crackdown on the Taliban is questionable, observers said.

A close aide, retired Maj. Gen. Rashid Qureshi, said Musharraf, currently in Europe, won't be return to Pakistan in the near future.

"I have no idea how long the former president will stay abroad," Qureshi said. "Though I am still in touch with him, I have no exact idea on this count."

Musharraf left Pakistan for a private visit to Saudi Arabia April 19 and then headed to Europe for a lecture tour. A trip to the United States is expected after that, the Press Trust of India reported.