Settling a score: Fauzia Siddiqui challenges Musharraf

Fauzia Siddiqui – the sister of Dr Aafia Siddiqi who has been jailed by a US court for allegedly assaulting American troops at a military base in Afghanistan – has decided to contest election against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in NA-250 (Karachi-XII).

While submitting her nomination papers, Fauzia said she was following in the footsteps of Fatima Ali Jinnah and contesting against a ‘dictator’. “The nation sees Musharraf as a symbol of oppression, he cannot win elections,” she said.

Fauzai has accused Musharraf of handing over her sister, Dr Aafia, to the United States in return for dollars.

Meanwhile, Pervez Musharraf – who now leads his All Pakistan Muslim League – said the court has barred him from leaving the country during the period of his bail in the cases pending against him. “I’ll not leave the country in any circumstances as I’m here to contest elections,” he added.

Speaking at a news conference, Musharraf welcomed Balochistan’s prominent leader Abdul Haq Mengal in his party and said that he did a lot for the development of the province.

To a question regarding his failure in attracting any former MNAs and MPAs in his party, Musharraf said he preferred newcomers to join his party as Pakistan’s politics was dominated by the same faces.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2013.

Correction: An earlier version of this article mentioned Musharraf's party as "All Party Muslim League." The error has been fixed.