‘Serious risks’ force Musharraf to postpone return to Pakistan

LAHORE - In what can be seen as a setback for former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf’s political ambitions, it is being reported that he will not come back to Pakistan this year.

According to The Daily Times, Musharraf has decided to steer his newly-formed party, the All-Pakistan Muslim League (APML), from London, and he would not return due to some formidable challenges and serious risks he would be exposed to in Pakistan.

Sources said that a core team of legal and political experts was busy in finalising the manifesto of the APML, and it would be launched after Eid ul-Fitr in London as well as in Pakistan, Dubai and the United States.

They also said that the party office in Dubai would be a special venue for Musharraf to meet his supporters.

Earlier, it was reported that Musharraf will announce the manifesto of his APML party, as well as the date of his return in September.

APML Chief Coordinator Chaudhry Shahbaz had said that Musharraf would face all charges against him, adding that the government is even free to probe Nawab Akbar Bugti’s assassination and the Lal Mosque carnage.

Shahbaz also disclosed that his party had been in touch with the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leaders for the last three months for a possible unification, and said that both the factions would soon assemble on a platform.

Reports regarding Musharraf’s return have been doing rounds in the media for a long time now, but it is believed that he is unlikely to take a flight back to Pakistan amidst demands for his high treason trial, particularly from the main opposition party’s (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif.

Several cases are pending against Musharraf in courts across Pakistan, and the UN enquiry commission’s report also held his regime responsible for the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in December 2007.

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has also declared him as a proclaimed offender for not appearing in court despite several notices.

The court has ordered to publish advertisements in British and national newspapers directing Musharraf to appear before the court. (ANI)