Former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf on Friday announced that he would return to Pakistan within a week of the installation of caretaker government.
Addressing a press conference in Dubai, Musharraf said that he would either land in Karachi or Islamabad.
In response to a question about threats to his life and the cases against him in Pakistan, Musharraf said his life was in God’s hands, adding that if he was being tried for promoting development and prosperity in Pakistan, he was ready to face the courts. “I want to be put on trial for developing Pakistan, building dams, promoting agriculture and revolutionising telecom sector. I introduced a local body system, which developed the country at grassroots level. I opened 70 to 80 universities, broke the begging bowl of IMF,” he said, adding, “I am ready to accept the punishment if our courts want me to be tried on these reasons.”
Pakistan is full of potential and resources, he said, adding that the country lacks leadership and governance. He said Pakistan was facing a “now or never situation”. What happened has happened; it is now time to move forward, he said. “I hope that the people of Pakistan have awakened. The people of Pakistan have realised what is right and what is wrong for them.” He unveiled a four-point roadmap, which includes internal stability, regional peace, international acceptability, and socio-economic development.
Commenting over the general elections, he said the polls should be free and fair, adding that his party would fully participate in the elections. He said the polls would be transparent if the army supervises them. He said that his party was in favour of the implementation of Article 62 and 63 of the constitution.
Speaking about the Hazara community of Quetta, Musharraf said they were patriotic, patient and educated Pakistanis. He said that religious extremism was damaging the country and Pakistan was being destroyed in the name of religion.
“I am not going to Pakistan to create enemies. It’s time for reconciliation. For all those who love Pakistan, I would like to tell them that I am returning to Pakistan because I love Pakistan.”
Musharraf, who heads the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), has been away from Pakistan since 2008 after the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) came to power with a coalition government.
The former president faces two court warrants for his arrest in two cases – the death of Akbar Bugti in 2006 and the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007.