He said he would go to the court on his return in compliance with its order. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
NEW YORK:
Former President Pervez Musharraf said Saturday that he would return home some two and a half months before the forthcoming elections to breathe new life into his party - the All Pakistan Muslim League to boost it electoral chances.
Addressing a public meeting here in the hall of Soundview Broadcasting, APML chief said that he was convinced the people of Pakistan were ready for a political change and he would play his role in this regard.
Musharraf had pledged last year to end his self-imposed exile and fly back to Pakistan, but then postponed his return citing security threats. At a press conference afterwards, Musharraf was pressed by journalists to give an exact date of his return to Pakistan.
“I have not set any date as yet because no date has been fixed for the elections (which are expected to be held in May),” he said. When told that he could be arrested on his return to Pakistan, Musharraf said that his arrest warrants stemmed from his non-appearance in a Pakistani court to face the charges levelled against him.
He said he would go to the court on his return in compliance with its order.
“No risk, no gain,” Musharraf said when asked why he was risking his life by deciding to return to Pakistan. “I have no enmity with anyone, but I have love for Pakistan”, he added. Musharraf devoted his speech to defending his record in office, claiming Pakistan had recorded all-round progress.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2013.
COMMENTS (41)
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Lal Masjid, Bugti etc are all his administrative decisions as part of his duty and of course, on basis of 'Pakistan first'. He had no personal involvement there.
The attitude of Nawaz is obviously due to his personal enmity and also, one may suspect that he is anti Urdu Speaking Pakistanis.
Musharraf considers others as gentlemen as he is. I wish him luck.
One of the best leaders Pakistan ever had.Pakistan prospered and we had a strong economy.
@Maria: Nice try!!
Sir Please come Pakistan needs you the most. You are the only leader who has the potential and strength to take the country forward. Your era was prosperous era for the people of Pakistan and now we are suffering numerous problems by the current government. Hopefully again inshallah we will see a prosperous era if you return to Power. Musharraf Zindabad and Pakistan Zindabad.
@Ata: It's sad to see that people are so ignorant that despite witnessing 9 years of dictatorship do so much damage to the country, they would even stomach to have the someone like Musharraf come back. The guy should be arrested and charged with treason for failing to uphold his military oath to respect the constitution and for pushing back development in Pakistan 25 years by undermining the state's institutions.
He is an arrogant,buoyant,"Khaki". He may be retired now but he remains every bit a General ......born to rule.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: Fully agree with you, Sir. He is a full Pakistani, which is far better than 'adha teetar, adha batair.' The only problem with Musharraf is he got blanketed by the PMLQ with their cajolery, sycophancy, and backward somersaults on important issues like the Hudood Ordinance, Police Order 2002, and Kalabagh dam. Salams for 2013
You turned around the economy, and all the other socio economic factors in the right direction. We want you back.
If GenPM does a long march, i will surely come to pak to support him from KSA, and stay till after elections to support him. I swear.
@Kamran Baluch: Pray read the following link: http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/columns/06-Jan-2013/putting-our-children-in-line-of-fire The man is plain dishonest.
@vasan: You seem to know all about the events that led to Kargil and thereafter. Please share your knowledge. I'm sure military experts will learn a lot from it. Thank you!
Has Musharraf selected his villa in Abbottabad? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Of course, you have right and should come to Pakistan. The people always remember you because you done a great job for Pakistan.
You are a 'Full Pakistani" and better than many "Half Pakistanis" who are dual nationals.
The nation will welcome you back, no matter which Airport you choose to land.
Best of luck.
Its simply sad to see people over here are just too ignorant to accept a plain fact that Musharraf's tenure was way better than all governments/military rules combined. Bad governments are bi-products of bad decisions by the people. First we impose these no-good, illiterate, corrupt and feudal lords on us and then a couple of years down the line we scream REVOLUTION. Let's try and not get high before voting the next time around and choose what's best for the country. A nation that is currently led by a bunch of criminals (there are no two opinions about this), if governed by men of some principles then there is still hope for Pakistan. Otherwise, Pakistan ka Allah he hafiz hai.
@Yoghurt lover: But still less than a billion next door.
Just kidding, wanted to make you aware of how silly you sound.
I think term of deal ( Security given by International establishment ) has been finished .
This 'sher aya', 'sher aya' business is going on for the last two years. What nonsense is this ?
An arrow out of the anchor, a word out of the mouth and Musharraf out of Pakistan never come back
We need you back. 2000-2008 were the best 8 years Pakistan has seen since her existence. We need a progressive leader like you to lead us out of these dark times. I wish the Pakistani "Awaam" would understand this. Best of luck and Inshallah you will save the country once again, like you did in 1999.
It's ok.
One more liar to a count of 180 million doesn't make much of a difference to the country.
Still better than what we have right now.
@Super Star: people of lal masjid got what they deserved...dont try to sympathize with the terrorists
His times were better. He can unify the country, thats the biggest point. He is honest no corruption from his side.
We need You Sir... :(
The People of Lal Masjid will welcome you !
Great sir. We want you back but please make sure your security. We can never afford to lose a leader of the time and a leader forever. Long live Musharraf,
Welcome Sir ji..I will come to airport to welcom you. Please save the nation as you saved it back in 1999
A big lols at him and ET
Chief of army staff and a commando is afraid to come back. what a time?
sir, please come back and save this country from looters, ppls were very prosperous in your era... now the nation had understood the importance of good leader like u... i am damd sure that the nation would never disappoint you... WE ARE WITH YOU ..
A leader can be a dictator but dictator must not necessarily be a leader.Mr Musharaff story tells he is not a leader of the staure to be wellcome by public at all cost.That realisation is keeping him coming back home.
The same logic " No Risk No gain" was adopted in kargil also by the commando, We all know what happened by the brainchild of musharaff
Not set any date as yet because no date has been fixed for the election !!! Or we can say that no date has been communicated to him by AGENCIES
Please come Musharaf we won't harm you smirk.
You are always most welcome highly respected sir.Please do come back to Pakistan because now Pakistan needs the leaders like you not even never like PPP and Zardari.......
Benazir's fate awaits him.
Have heard this before and it sounds like a broken record. Gen Zia also promised elections in 90 days every time he made a speech. Come on in who has stopped you?
What a brave commando !!!!!! Afraid of coming back to his own country. Yet, dreaming of leading the country.