Ahead of his planned return to Pakistan later this month, former President Pervez Musharraf is expected to meet Saudi King Abdullah to discuss getting “foolproof guarantees” from Pakistani civilian and military leaders that he will not be arrested after his homecoming.

68-year-old Musharraf, currently living in self-exile in Britain and Dubai, intends to return to Pakistan on January 31. He is expected to meet the Saudi King on January 22 to discuss getting “foolproof” guarantees from Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani that he will not be arrested on his return or prosecuted for any of the crimes he has been charged with, a news daily reported on Wednesday quoting its sources.

The former President has made contacts with senior officials in the US to discuss the issue.

American-Pakistani businessman Raza Bokhari, one of Musharraf’s close associates, is expected to meet US Ambassador Cameron Munter in Islamabad to ensure that the former military ruler is not arrested or prosecuted, the report said.

The Saudi royal family has often played the role of an arbitrator in Pakistan’s domestic politics. It played a key role in facilitating a deal whereby former premier Nawaz Sharif was allowed to leave Pakistan after he was deposed in a military coup led by Musharraf in 1999. Saudi royals have also helped in settling disputes between top Pakistani leaders.

Musharraf is expected to announce the exact date for his homecoming only after he gets assurances from international players that he will not be arrested or prosecuted on the return, the report said.