Pervez Musharraf’s fate remains uncertain today with rumours still circulating that he could go into exile in Saudi Arabia, the United States, Britain, the United Arab Emirates or Turkey.

The former President and military chief's preference is to stay in Pakistan and to move into a farmhouse he had been building on the outskirts of Islamabad, but that is considered too unsafe, according to officials close to him.

He is now understood to be moving out of Army House – his home since 1998 - and into a former guesthouse in the military cantonment in Rawalpindi, a garrison town outside Islamabad.

General Kayani, who took over as army chief last year, is moving out of the former guesthouse and into Army House.

However, Mr Musharraf will continue to enjoy military protection - a privilege not usually granted to former presidents - because of the threat from separatists and Islamic militants, who have already tried to kill him three times.

The Army also sent a veiled warning to Mr Musharraf’s political opponents yesterday when it laid on an honour guard as he left the presidency.

While many Pakistanis blame him for the country's economic and political woes, even some of his staunchest critics say he should be given credit for his achievements in office and his decision to leave peacefully.

“In time to come, when history is written by people who are less emotional and more impartial, he will be accorded a more decent place in our history,” said Najam Sethi, editor of the Daily Times.

“There is no doubt about certain things. The economy did well. He brought women in to the mainstream more than any other leader had done,” he said.

“And at a time when he could have got nasty, he could have been like a wounded bear… he decided to call it a day.”

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