Pervez Musharraf to Return to Pakistani Politics
- 14 years ago
The former president of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf has declared he will return to politics and contest the 2013 elections. But the reaction in Pakistan has been mixed. Here's more.
Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf plans to return to politics and run in elections scheduled for 2013. He quit office in 2008 to avoid impeachment charges.
Musharraf says he aims to form a new political party that will tackle corruption, revive the country's sluggish economy, and step up the fight against Islamist militants.
However, reactions in Pakistan are mixed.
[Agha Masood Hussain, Political Analyst]:
"The condition in Pakistan (for him) is not ripe at the moment and most of the people in Pakistan will not welcome him. If he comes here, there are lots of cases against him. He has to face the music."
[Mohammad Sajid, Islamabad Resident]:
"They (Musharraf and his supporters) are just making a political party which won't be of any use. This is not an extraordinary party. The opportunists are joining it. He (Musharraf) will be doing politics while sitting in London. He will not come back to Pakistan."
But with both violence and inflation on the rise, some thought the return of Musharraf may be positive.
[Syed Farman Raza, Karachi School Teacher]:
"If the conditions in this country improve after he comes into politics then it is good. The people are worried by price hikes and murders."
Musharraf's popularity waned after he clashed with the judiciary when attempting to secure another term in power.
The alliance struck with the United States after the September 11, 2001 attacks was also deeply unpopular with many voters.
Pakistan is a frontline state in the United States' fight against Islamist militancy in the region, but questions about Islamabad's commitment to the campaign have raised tensions between the two countries.
Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf plans to return to politics and run in elections scheduled for 2013. He quit office in 2008 to avoid impeachment charges.
Musharraf says he aims to form a new political party that will tackle corruption, revive the country's sluggish economy, and step up the fight against Islamist militants.
However, reactions in Pakistan are mixed.
[Agha Masood Hussain, Political Analyst]:
"The condition in Pakistan (for him) is not ripe at the moment and most of the people in Pakistan will not welcome him. If he comes here, there are lots of cases against him. He has to face the music."
[Mohammad Sajid, Islamabad Resident]:
"They (Musharraf and his supporters) are just making a political party which won't be of any use. This is not an extraordinary party. The opportunists are joining it. He (Musharraf) will be doing politics while sitting in London. He will not come back to Pakistan."
But with both violence and inflation on the rise, some thought the return of Musharraf may be positive.
[Syed Farman Raza, Karachi School Teacher]:
"If the conditions in this country improve after he comes into politics then it is good. The people are worried by price hikes and murders."
Musharraf's popularity waned after he clashed with the judiciary when attempting to secure another term in power.
The alliance struck with the United States after the September 11, 2001 attacks was also deeply unpopular with many voters.
Pakistan is a frontline state in the United States' fight against Islamist militancy in the region, but questions about Islamabad's commitment to the campaign have raised tensions between the two countries.