In conversation with Pervez Musharraf

Gulf News

In conversation with Pervez Musharraf. The former Pakistan president, Pervez Musharraf reveals his plans to return to politics. See more at: http://gulfnews.com/gntv

Transcript

00:00Are you regretting your decision to let, let's say, Benazir and Sharif come back?

00:12No, it was not my decision. Benazir came violating a decision, violating an agreement.

00:21But an environment had been created, political environment on the streets of Pakistan in 2007,

00:31which encouraged her and allowed her to come. And when she came, then this Nawaz Sharif and,

00:42frankly, Saudi Arabia thought that he should also be allowed to come back.

00:47So that created the turmoil. And it was accentuated when she got assassinated.

00:54The original agreement between me and her, she was not supposed to come before the election.

01:00Because I wanted the next elections to be very smooth, peaceful, calm, and frankly,

01:07I was very sure that we will again be elected, my supporters, and then I will remove my uniform

01:13and I will remain as a civilian president overseeing for another five years.

01:18And then I thought I'd fade away. I mean, everyone has to fade away. Now it is reversed.

01:24Now, when I was thinking of fading away, I need to restart.

01:28Today, Pakistan is faced with a crisis of lack of leadership and a political environment

01:37where there is no political party which can deliver Pakistan on problems.

01:41So what we have to do today is to create another political alternative.

01:46If we can do that, we will succeed. Now, if we want to, if we create a political alternative

01:55to be seen by the people of Pakistan as an alternative, which can deliver,

01:59and to be seen by the international community, that yes, this is an alternative,

02:05which maybe can save Pakistan because of the turmoil which will affect the whole region and the whole world.

02:12So they should see this alternative as the viable alternative. I am trying to do that.

02:19I don't think people are saying that I am being pushed into Pakistan by external forces.

02:27However, I would agree that external forces do have, do create an impact into the political environment of Pakistan.

02:40And when I say external forces, it is United States, Saudi Arabia and UAE also.

02:49So let me say I am fortunate enough that I have, I enjoy a good respect in all these three countries.

03:01So therefore that is my good fortune.

03:05But to go back into politics and be launched by only external forces is not correct at all.

03:13I need the mandate of the people of Pakistan from their hearts and minds.

03:18If I can do that, that is the salvation of Pakistan. I am trying to do that.

03:25Well, let me, I'll give it a good try.

03:27With nine years experience, I know what Pakistan needs and how Pakistan can be revived.

03:37Because it is the same story again of 99.

03:40I have analysed all developing countries. What are the problems?

03:45What are the problems of Pakistan, a society which is, which has diversity?

03:51So how do you gel a country together?

03:54What are the responsibilities of government?

03:57I personally believe that a leader's responsibility and a government's responsibility

04:05is number one to the people and number two to the state.

04:11They have, both are linked together.

04:14But to the people, it's the welfare, well-being of the people,

04:18their living condition, their happiness, their sense of satisfaction,

04:23which gives them confidence and which gives them a stake in the country.

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