File photo of Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: FILE
Addressing a media conference in Dubai, he said, “people think I cannot come back to Pakistan because I would be in danger and because of the cases; I leave all the danger to Allah. It’s now or never,” he said
He further added that under his government, development had taken place in Pakistan as new universities had been set up and many sectors of the economy, such as agriculture and telecommunications had boomed.
Revealing his plans, he said, “either I will come to Karachi or Rawalpindi or Islamabad. But since Qaid-e-Azam came to Karachi after the partition, hence, I might be doing the same.”
Members of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), a political party founded by Pervez Musharraf in 2010, were also present at the press conference.
He also said, “the APML will be taking part in the elections and our candidates will be running in the elections from all constituencies.”
Talking about the elections, he said that according to Article 62 and 63 of the constitution, all the ineligible candidates should be removed and should not be allowed to take part in the elections.
“Free and fair elections can only be held under army’s supervision,” he said.
Addressing the difficulties faced by the country, he said that Pakistan was going through a very difficult time and the coming few months will be challenging.
Highlighting religious extremism and terrorism as the reason behind this turmoil, he said that during his tenure as army chief and president, his government focused on a four point agenda that covered internal stability, regional peace, international acceptability and the country's overall socio-economic development.
“We need a government that will work on these four agendas. And for this an honest and responsible government is a prerequisite,” he said.
Despite making announcements of returning to Pakistan in the past Musharraf never delivered on them.
Pending court cases of the famous Lal Masjid operation and the arrest warrants that were issued on his name in connection to the killing of Akbar Bugti in 2006 and the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, are still outstanding against him.
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If democracy is to survive in Pakistan, Musharraf cannot be allowed to go scott free. Muaharraf's power grab was an illegal act tantamount to treason. He should be tried and punished according to the constitution.
Musharraf must pay for his treasonous act in overthrowing an elected government. Only then will future potential military dictators have second thoughts about grabbing power whenever they felt the urge. Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia ul Haq, Musharraf.....enough already.
Welcome back Sir
You are our brave hero.But you are not just our hero you are hero of all our pakistan. All politicians are fake you are really much then sencior for Pakistan..
fair,free and i8mpartial general election is impossible under any aurhority apointed by the incumbent government or authority attributed to it. Free and fair elections can only be held under army’s supervision, that's all.
Our country is passing through a tough circumstances patriotic figures and able leadership is dire need of the time who deliver good and favorable decisio
It is duty of our all to finish of our all conflicts and assemble on one plate form to providing unique safe to country because our enemies spread all around.
Yes it is possible, he can be put on trialbut why,be considered the development in his time for example ,constructing dams,development in agriculture ,and revolutionizing telecom,more 70 universities were made in his tenture,he is a first ruler who broke begging bowl of IMF.
First time in Pakistan a democratic governement is completing its tenure. before this a peaceful transfer of power happened of which a admireable credit goes to Musharraf. Now he is coming,let him come and particiapte in the upcoming general election. Some quarters concerned showing hypocracy shouldn't do that if they put snage in the way it would be violation of fundamental principle of democracy.
@Hoon~Das:
I dont know whether you are Pakistani or not but you are definitly an idiot. Energy crisis is the result of the present govt mismangement. They spend millions in buying rental power plant which is sitting in the warehouse and getting rotten. Only advantage to the govt by making huge commision. We are not even using half the energy what was being used in Musharraf's time as the industries were running full shifts.
@Foreign Leg:
So you are Nawaz shareef's relative. Dont say no more. If you have problem go to pml-n friendly court.
@FikarmandLarki: If a dollar is 100 rupees purchasing power will be less and if the $ is equal to 60 rupees than the purchasing power will be more.
@Udaya Bose: You worry about your country and dont poke your nose in other peoples/countries affairs. in short mind your business.
@Yoghurt lover: You Indian always want like that. Any Pakistan leader Indians hate is good for Pakistan. So Musharraf is good for Pakistan. He is well known around the world and has good reputation. He can face the challenges and the most patriot. Any leader who have no corruption charges and whose children are not in politics are good for Pakistan. Why media does not like him coz he does not passes lifafas to the journalist.
@Arsie:
Yes, Kalpad Bughtis love Musharraf as he has settled them back in Dera Bughti. You dont worry about it.
Musharaf is a man who broke our constitution and if we are a civilized society he should be put to Justice!
I like Musharraf. He is a true patriotic, just like IK.
The first Pakiatani leader who stretched his hand to the Israeli leader Mr Shamir. And later said to the press that he did not shake his hands with shamir but Shamir shook his hands with him! A charlatan.!
Rex Minor.
Musharraf is an honest leader and mush better than the present elite. We is need of the hour.
welcome sir , Pakistan needs you .
In most of the comments above ,people have appriciated the leadership skill of general Musarraf . His image at international level is also very good due to his action against the terrorism . He eradicated them both in Red star and Kargil operation .
@Rex Minor: A very racist statement-the Jaag Punjabi Jaag' phenomena???
@Qayyum: Please do that. Your petition should also incude the court that validated hhis take over and gave him unlimited powers to amend the constitution.
No doubt he would come but after care taker set up formation political wisdom has been shown by the decision.caretaker would not arrest him due to its impartiality.keep in mind the circumstances ,it can be said it is a bold decision.
The "Lion King" returns to the promised land to save it from the hyenas. Welcome back. May Allah be your protector.
@Syed: @Zain Abbass:
Musharraf arrived? When and where has this happened since his self-imposed exile? Syed is right, and you're being disrespectful, Zain, if not a deluded blind ideologue making excuses (Memogate held him at bay all this time? Really?). I used to be a supporter and acknowledged the relative sectarian and ethnic harmony, at least in Karachi, as well as economic growth, but the truth as mentioned by Syed in regards to not dismantling the jihadist structure as military policy is there, among many other blunders and insincerities.
One example, among others, he seemed to come down hard on Omar Saeed Sheikh, the Daniel Pearl murderer, and former J-e-M member, but Musharraf outright knowingly lied to the public on Sheikh being an MI-6 double agent, especially when everyone knew he was a former ISI asset and his personal ISI buddy was Sheikh's handler and met with him before Sheikh gave himself up for arrest. This deceit and lack of accountability was quite glaring, and yes, he had power for a decade, so he does indeed become responsible for continuing such dishonest policies and no flimsy excuse will change that.
@Abdul Rahman Khan It is not his fault that he became a general! Those who promoted him including Nawaz Sharif made a mistake and suffered for it. He should be deported to India, the country of his birth.
Rex Minor
General Musharraf, please give some serious thought to saner opinions and advices about not coming to Pakistan. Mine is one of them. Those who are welcoming you to Pakistan and pleading you to take part in country's politics don't seriously examine the issue as such. You don't know how many of your such 'admirers' are behaving like 'Koofis'. As soon as you land in Pakistan the judiciary and press and also people like Tilal Bugti will settle scores with you.The people who are misguided about 'Lal Masjid' and Kargil operations and the death of Akbar Bugti plus twice failed and dismissed Nawaz, also plus a section of press is highly prejudiced against you. So please think many times before you decide to return to Pakistan.
Welcome back to Pakistan, Musharraf! . The butcher of the Northern Light Infantry who did not accept the slain bodies of soldiers who perished under his strategy. . The ally on the War on Terror who milked the US for billions of dollars yet kept on saying that UBL was dead. . The ally on the War on Terror under whom the Kunduz Airlift extracted the Taleban from the combat zone in Afghanistan to ensure that the battle would continue unabated. . The ex-President who made so much money that he lives a plush life outside of Pakistan. . The hero of Kargil who thinks that the PM chickened out and that is why he lost, never mind the fact that Pakistan only has oil reserves to last one month. . The ex-President whose bad the PPP-Zardari government is holding even to this day and the one who razed Pakistan to the ground. . I can go on and on. If any of you think he was great, I have some water kits to sell to you.
Though General Musharraf has announced that he will be returning to Pakistan, but I have all the doubts that he will make, it even in case if the caretaker cabinet has taken over the charge.
There are number of cases pending before the couts of law. No matter which city he intend to land in the country, the law of the land will not allow him to roam freely, unless he is cleared and declared innocent by the courts of the law.
Secular Pakistani: "I Still remember When China daily in 2005 reported “We got a new Growth challenger:Pakistan”"
Wrong - this was not reported by China Daily. China Daily merely reproduced the report.
The column was originally from none other than Bloomberg.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&refer=columnist_mukherjee&sid=aiSFuvMKI2Gw
Looking forward to....
Mr. Musharraf..my stats suggest that you better should rethink that decision about visiting the home country since there`s a head money of 1.5 Crores on you on acoount of the Nawab Bugti case...
..At last..were desperately waiting for you..have something very special for your hospitality... Do visit us...neveetheless..we will find you. Know this... we havnt yet forgotten the Uncle Bugti... :)
@Zain Abbass:
You forgot the biggest fact, He removed an elected PM, he had no right to rule. My question stays why did he left if was doing so well???
Welcome back...I am an admirer of you. You were undoubtedly one of the fine leaders and you have many success stories to your name. Lets hope that you receive a warm welcome and that you work with honesty and steadily as "Pakistan First". However, it wont be a smooth sail since you would be facing colossal criticism and face the courts unconstitutional steps. However, in principle, you should respect the rule of law and face the challenges with courage and due respect. May you succeed in your intentions and May Allah grant you goodwill and spirit to peacefully lead the nation.
@Gill: To do what? There are no cases against him. He has indemnity against the take over. Bugti picked up weapons against the state. Lal Masjid people took up arms and drew the first blood by killing a government official.
I know it may please some here just to see Musharraf making rounds of the courts, but reality is that our courts would be better served sending terrorists to jails.
Pakistan under general Musharraf was undoubtedly ten times better that what it is now and still much better than it was under nawaz's second term. One can count his achievements in economy and in scores of other fields - coming out of the claws of IMF, just one big achievement to count. Burt dear General, maybe, you are aspiring for one of the two key posts - P.M. or President. If you become Prime minister, for example, will you feel at ease working with President. Or, if you become President, you will not be that powerful president as you were with uniform on. You served Pakistan as a powerful head of the country. All you can and should do is that set up a Think Tank and guide the country in all fields. Those who are opposing you are blinded by prejudice, mostly from nawaz league. Please think once again. It's not necessary for you to come to pakistan and serve it. You can do this noble task even from outside Pakistan.The press whom you gave unbounded freedom is not impartial or friendly for you, if not prejudiced. Sir, tell me one thing. Why you were born in Delhi. Why not in punjab or any other province of today's Pakistan. In that case, people would have accepted you as they accepted Ayub, Yahya, Zia etc.
When he comes I will petition the SC to confine him and ask for trial under article 6 of the constitution where he abrogated it.
@Zain Abbass: Brother "yoghurt lover" is a Hindustani.
Musharraf had been an honest yet intrepid leader. Pakistanis rarely get them and Indians never.
The dictator who brutally killed the democracy is coming back ( to be a part of democratic set up ). Be prepared to be prosecuted . Army is not enjoying the same admiration which it used to have earlier. Public will not hesitate to seek justice for your illegal acts..
Please come and we wish you all the best.
Pres. please stay where you are. If you go back to pak, then the dollar will be back to Rs.60 and I will be getting less Rs for every Pound Sterling exchange.
@Zain Abbass:
Dear Zain, You have right to your opinion and so do I. It is your choice on how you express it and what words you use.
He announced his return few times before (In Jalsa) only to change his mind 'apparently' due to dangers of courts. Such things dented one's credibility and put supporters like you in difficult spot.
My opinion of his contribution in polices comes from his very active support of Taliban formation and using proxies (translation, creating and using extremist from society) for Pakistan's so called 'strategic interest'. We all are very badly affected by it, I never said that he is the only one responsible but among one of the leading.....Read through his career here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PervezMusharraf#Commandandstaffappointments_.281991.E2.80.931995.29
Sincerely.
@pak_liberal: You do realize that over 95% of the country is Muslim and enlightened moderation isn't a secular concept. Before commenting on the concept you should do your research about it first. You are coming off as an ignorant person because your comment is wrong on many levels.
@Nasir Mahmood: Oh really? So you are still going to use this INFACTUAL and UNTRUE EXCUSE even after 5 years of demoncracy?
@Arsie: I am not sure if you are informed of this but the biggest subtribe of the Bugti tribe the Kalpars fully support Musharraf and have asked him to run from a seat in Dera Bugti.
@Arcane: Your response is NOT even slightly factual. The economic achievements of the Musharraf Government are recognized by the whole world. When Musharraf took power this country was bankrupt and not even the IMF was willing to bother anymore. Musharraf broke the begging bowl and the IMF program in Pakistan ended. Please do some proper research before posting your infactual statements.
@rp: @Yoghurt lover: You talk about Kargil yet you know nothing about the operation clearly and your responses are typical Pakistani emotional cliched trash. Please educate yourself before making comments on such things.
wow, surprised to see people still cheering for him. Shabash my fellow country men.
Like it or not, every single Pakistani including Musharraf must honour the Constitution. Article 6 clearly states: "Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance, the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason." Currently, the punishment for high treason is death by hanging. I'll wager that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will not invoke the infamous "Doctrine of Necessity" this time as during the régime of General Zia.
It was a conspiracy against Pakistan to Make him leave and put Pakistan on a revrse course from development to chaos.I only wish he was a Punjabi then perhaps people would have accepted him better.He is the greatest leader Pakistan ever had and can still contribute much in development of country in many capacities.
Raised slogan of 'ENLIGHTENED MODERATION' ... Names party All Pakistan 'MUSLIM' League ...
Musharraf surely has some admirers at home but much depends upon the judiciary whether it pursues cases pending against him on fast track or not. More importantly is the number one establishment support for the former President who had to leave the country in disgrace but now returning back to try his luck again. However, if Musharraf is allowed to contest the elections, he is surely going to spoil the apple-cart of the PTI by division of votes, benefitting both PMLN and PTI.
The Hero of Kargil returns. We await you, sir.
Quaid-e-Azam of our era. Waiting for this occasion Sir.
u got killed many muslims in Kargil welcome for hanging
The second Qadri is coming and other Mafia members have yet to announce their plans.
If he was to be arrested on orders of ppp, the current Govt. will return to power with a great majority. A single act will outsmart Imran Khan and Sharif Bros political powers.
Rex Minor
“people think I cannot come back to Pakistan because I would be in danger - People do not think this...these are your statements which you have said several times in talk shows.
Sir Ji please come home this time, Pakistan is being looted. It is only you who can run this country honestly and bring it's name in the world once again. The enemies are lurking to devour it. "Pakistan First".
They only come back to rule not to live. what happened to "Pakistan First"? living in London and Dubai! when you got kicked out. What did you achieved in 10 years? each subsequent ruler leave this unfortunate piece of land in worst shape than it was, it's like fighting one disease after another.
So is the Army backing Musharraf or Imran Khan or Qadri?
"Difficulties faced by the country", all because of PM's policies.
Notwithstanding weather Mr. Musharraf is right or wrong, I cannot under us as a nation. Five years ago we hated Mr. Musharraf so much that were praying for him to leave. And after five years we can see welcome slogans. What we need to understand that our leaders represent our society. A corrupt society will make its leaders corrupt and if the society is not corrupt than not even the most corrupt man can do corruption at any level We are looking for a Messiah for more than six decades, but do not want to change our character. Even if Musharraf comes into power and we do not change ourselves, there will be welcome slogan for Mr. Zardari after five years.
@Inam: he is not Zardari/Bhutto or Sharif or wali khan or Magsi or Raja or Gilani or Pagara or Altaf Hussain or Bugti who never retire for them it is for ever and ever
Bugtis can't wait to see you
@Syed: Why are you holding Musharraf responsible for the policies of others? Also it is stupid for you to expect Musharraf to announce his arrival when he has already arrived. He had to change dates in the past because of crisis in Pakistan from memogate. I don't understand why people such as yourself who have a weak understanding of politics bother to comment.
Sir, please come. Your dedication, discipline, fairness, and loads of development is everything that Pakistan needs.
Will he be arrested and tried for killing 4000 Pakistani soldiers in Kargil?
Welcome home Pakistan needs you and people like you who are honest and honarable ready to give their life for this great country, Pakistan.
Is he thinking of 'now or never' or 'ever and ever' ?
The most loyal and brave leader of Pakistan.
I will surely vote for him.
All the best sir.
Right or wrong you have many admirers Mr. Musharraf. And it is for their sake if not for your own that you should stop making claims that you cannot deliver on. You have claimed to be coming back few times before as well but did not followed through on it. If you want to come then just come and then say.
As far as conditions that the country is in, you need to take responsibility as among the leading people who watered and nourished the plant of extremists into a big tree all in the name of 'strategic assets' in process you helped destroy the society. You cannot just simply wash your hands off it just because the wind is blowing in other direction now.
Indeed a great news for the nation. Welcome Sir, we are waiting for you.
He has got nothing to offer. His party languishes in obscurity. There is no reason for him to risk his life.
Welcome back Sir. You were badly missed.