Musharraf’s party formally launched in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD - Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s party, the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), has been formally launched during a ceremony held in Islamabad.

Addressing the ceremony, Musharraf’s spokesman Muhammad Ali Saif said than an application has already been submitted to the concerned authority for registration of the party’s name.

“If anyone else is also interested in this name, he is most welcome to join us,” The News quoted Saif, as saying.

Musharraf had earlier said that he will return to Pakistan, and was ready to face cases against him for the country’s sake.

“I’m prepared to face that (any cases) for the sake of Pakistan. And I know since whatever I did has all the legal backing and legal cover, I’m very confident that nothing can happen legally against me,” Musharraf had said.

He confirmed that he would announce the APML’s formation in London on October 1, but did not say when he would return to his country.

“My going back is dependent certainly on an environment to be created in Pakistan. I would say with certainty in the next elections, whenever the signs of the next elections come up, I will be there in Pakistan,” the former President added.

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)