Homecoming: Musharraf returns to 'save Pakistan'
Former president returns to Pakistan after four years in self-imposed exile.
Pervez Musharraf prays after he arrived at the Karachi International airport from Dubai, in Karachi on March 24, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
Vowing to save Pakistan, former president Pervez Musharraf on Sunday said he will make Pakistan a country its citizens will be proud of.
Musharraf arrived in Karachi from Dubai after four years in self-imposed exile.
A huge crowd of supporters and All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) members welcomed him outside the Karachi airport.
He thanked all his supporters and asked them to help him make Pakistan a better place.
Musharraf intended to hold a rally at Mazar-e-Quaid, however, the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued to his party was cancelled, citing security threats.
He criticised his opponents for sabotaging his gathering.
Expressing grief over the current state of affairs in Pakistan, the former president said he has come back despite threats and predictions against his return.
“I’m here to save Pakistan, I’m not scared of anyone but Allah,” he asserted.
Earlier, while speaking to Express News anchor Shahzaib Khanzada, Musharraf said he has come back to change things for the better.
Karachi
Lamenting the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi, Musharraf said he will bring the city back to life.
He further said that “Karachi is a city for all; for Sindhis, Pathans, Balochis, Bengalis, Punjabis and Muhajirs.”
“We have to make Karachi a place of peace; we should end our petty fights,” he said.
Political activities
Musharraf will stay in Karachi for two days, constituting central and provincial committees for his party and then leave for Islamabad to plan out his election campaign.
He will be residing in Avari Towers, Karachi, during his stay in the city.
Background
Musharraf seized power in a 1999 coup and resigned in 2008 when his allies lost a vote and a new government threatened him with impeachment. He left the country a year later.
The former army general faces the possibility of arrest on charges that he failed to provide adequate security for former prime minister Benazir Bhutto before her assassination in 2007, and in relation to other cases.
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[poll id="1073"]
Vowing to save Pakistan, former president Pervez Musharraf on Sunday said he will make Pakistan a country its citizens will be proud of.
Musharraf arrived in Karachi from Dubai after four years in self-imposed exile.
A huge crowd of supporters and All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) members welcomed him outside the Karachi airport.
He thanked all his supporters and asked them to help him make Pakistan a better place.
Musharraf intended to hold a rally at Mazar-e-Quaid, however, the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued to his party was cancelled, citing security threats.
He criticised his opponents for sabotaging his gathering.
Expressing grief over the current state of affairs in Pakistan, the former president said he has come back despite threats and predictions against his return.
“I’m here to save Pakistan, I’m not scared of anyone but Allah,” he asserted.
Earlier, while speaking to Express News anchor Shahzaib Khanzada, Musharraf said he has come back to change things for the better.
Karachi
Lamenting the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi, Musharraf said he will bring the city back to life.
He further said that “Karachi is a city for all; for Sindhis, Pathans, Balochis, Bengalis, Punjabis and Muhajirs.”
“We have to make Karachi a place of peace; we should end our petty fights,” he said.
Political activities
Musharraf will stay in Karachi for two days, constituting central and provincial committees for his party and then leave for Islamabad to plan out his election campaign.
He will be residing in Avari Towers, Karachi, during his stay in the city.
Background
Musharraf seized power in a 1999 coup and resigned in 2008 when his allies lost a vote and a new government threatened him with impeachment. He left the country a year later.
The former army general faces the possibility of arrest on charges that he failed to provide adequate security for former prime minister Benazir Bhutto before her assassination in 2007, and in relation to other cases.
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[poll id="1073"]