Musharraf planning return to Pak but keeps card close to chest

LONDON - Former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has hinted that he is planning to return to the country’s political stage soon, but has not disclosed whether he would be running in the Presidential elections or not.

“The question of whether I am running for president or prime minister will be seen later,” Musharraf told CNN.

Musharraf did not disclose the exact time of his return to Pakistan, but officials said that he has already applied to register a new political party named -The All Pakistan Muslim League (APML).

Musharraf also condemned the UN inquiry commission’s report for blaming his regime for former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.

“It was me who warned her about the threat to her. It was I who stopped her from going to that venue once before… but she decided to go again,” BBC quoted Musharraf as telling CNN.

“All the security, wherever possible… by the police was provided to her,” the former general added.

Musharraf has reportedly been in contact with several Pakistani political leaders to garner support for himself and APML.

Insiders said that Musharraf also had a chat with former President Farooq Leghari to discuss various political aspects.

It is reported that they discussed about certain ‘disappointed’ political leaders who could join the APML.

Musharraf and some of the ‘dissident’ leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q and (PML-Q) and the PML-Z are already in contact, “and some of the rebel leaders have given the green signal to Musharraf for standing in the presidential elections. (ANI)