KARACHI: The chief of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), retired Gen Pervez Musharraf, has `appealed` to the federal government to exclude his name from the exit control list so that he could fly to Saudi Arabia to condole with the royal family over the death of King Abdullah.

An APML spokesperson said that given Mr Musharraf`s ties with the late monarch he deserved to get permission from the federal government to travel to Saudi Arabia.

`It was King Abdullah`s request upon which Mr Musharraf allowed Nawaz Sharif to land in Pakistan. So we believe it`s time for the prime minister to respond in a gentleman`s gesture,` the spokesperson said. Last year, the former president had sought permission to travel abroad to see his ailing mother. However, the request was rejected.