template_preprocess_pager do not output link for the current page of the pager. We should change it mainly to make it consistent with menu links. It will make the pager easier to theme to and perhaps simplify a bit the template_preprocess_pager code.
We should also add role="navigation" to improve accessibility.
<ul class="pagination" role="navigation">
....
<li class="pager-item"><a href="#">1</a></li>
<li class="pager-current"><a href="#">2 <span class="sr-only">(current)</span></a></li>
....
</ul>Is that ok? I'm happy to provide patch for that.