The exiled former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf said on Sunday he would return to Pakistan later this month between January 27 and January 30 to lead his recently formed All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) party in campaigning for a parliamentary election, despite the possibility of his arrest and concern over his security.
Political observers see it as a part of some foreign-backed move because the timing seems to be odd. Some opine that he is coming after getting nod from the military establishment. Prosecutors say he will be arrested the moment he returns, but the army might prevent his arrest.
Musharraf who managed to occupy top slots through a kick of circumstance and Machiavellian tactics, seems now to be in a grip of megalomania. He has many cases of murder registered against him apart from cases of treason for violation of the constitution repeatedly.
His hope from any cover from army, his old institution that he damaged on multiple accounts, is just like living in fool’s paradise.
The hunch is that his claims of coming to Pakistan by the end of this month to lead his so-called party, is another version of his fake bravados through his advertisements and American lobbyist out of the kitty, built by sale of Pakistanis.
He is said to be shrewd enough to have gauged the situation more cunningly and selected the timing of return more wisely, but there are some who are questioning whether or not his return is part of the same deal under which left for the self-exile four years back.
His claim to give rebirth to the economy of the country cannot be believed because it is not possible now under the circumstances. Balochistan is on the brink and he cannot do anything because his life can be at risk only because of this province. Nothing suits him and army cannot offer him any kind of help because he is not in uniform. What else is in store is yet to be seen.
MARYA MUFTY
Lahore
