Musharraf announces plan to return to Pakistan

Dubai: Former President of Pakistan General (retd) Pervez Musharraf has announced plans to go back to his country, ending a self-imposed exile to participate in the upcoming general elections.

Though Musharraf did not give a specific date, he told a crowded press conference in Dubai yesterday that he would return home one week after a caretaker government is formed in Pakistan.

The five-year-tenure of the Pakistan Peoples Party-led coalition government will end on March 16.

“The General is considering flying back on March 23 (Pakistan Day) if a caretaker set up is formed on time,” a close aide of Musharraf told Gulf News.

Arrest threat

Musharraf had previously vowed to end his exile since 2009 and fly back to Pakistan on January 31 last year to revive his political career but he postponed his plan after the government threatened to arrest him upon arrival and his friends in the Pakistan army also advised him to stay away from the country.

“I am ready to face the court and I don’t see any reason for my arrest on arrival,” said a confident Musharraf, who had launched his political party — All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) — in October 2011 in a bid to give a third option to the Pakistani electorate.

The former military ruler asserted that the next elections must be held under the supervision of the army to ensure transparency.