
Musharraf plans to return to Pakistan as its 'saviour'
Pakistan's ex-military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who calls himself "a born optimist", says he plans to return to Islamabad to enter politics for the "greater cause" of the country, where the leadership has "failed."
"I am very comfortable travelling around the world on lectures, but I am going into politics for the greater cause of Pakistan," Musharraf told The Sunday Telegraph.
"The people have reached the end of their hopes and I want to try to rekindle their faith in both themselves and Pakistan itself. It would be better to try and fail rather than not to try at all."
The former general, who has been living here since stepping down in 2008, is launching his own political party --the All Pakistan Muslim League.
The party, which will have its manifesto launch here on Friday, will be aiming for nothing less than to "change the political culture" of Pakistan, where last month's devastating
floods have affected over 20 million people.
While declining to comment on the civilian administration of President Asif Ali Zardari, Musharraf said "there is a lot of disappointment among the people over the way the flood
relief was tackled."
"What is required is unity of thought and action between three elements: the political forces, the army and the bureaucracy. They need an individual who can get them to think
and act alike."
He said "personally, I never saw myself as a dictator, even though people called me that, but now when I come back I will be a politician on normal terms.
"I am also a born optimist, which helps. We have everything going in Pakistan - the failure is only of leadership, not the people."
Musharraf was also vocal on the military challenges in neighbouring Afghanistan, saying the escalating body-count of British, US and other NATO soldiers should be no excuse for an early pullout.
US-led plans to start drawing down troops by the middle of next year would, he warned, lead to the region becoming a "nexus for terrorists" all over the Muslim world.
"I am not trying to portray a doomsday scenario unnecessarily, but the implications would be very serious for Afghanistan, Pakistan and the rest of the world," he said.
"It would encourage and strengthen the Taliban and al-Qaeda, giving them a country to fall back on. Quitting cannot be time related, it has to be effect related."
Commenting on the recent killing of Imran Farooq, the exiled leader of Pakistan's MQM party, Musharraf said "it is terrible that such an assassination could happen in a place
like London."

Third US vaccine could raise question: Which Covid-19 shots are best?
- If cleared for emergency use, the J&J vaccine would offer a one-dose option that could help speed vaccinations.

US justice department pledges to probe, as attacks on Asian Americans increase

Nepal cabinet recommends President to call meeting of reinstated Lower House

Caribbean countries ask wealthy nations to share vaccine supply

US conducts first military operation under Biden, hits Iran-backed groups in Syria

Half a million US chicks euthanised after storm hits Texas
- While it’s unclear how many chicken producers experienced losses, even small percentage changes in supply can move the market, and prices have already been gaining.

Bharat Biotech confirms deal with Brazil for 20 million doses of Covaxin

US judge in Google case disturbed that even ‘Incognito’ users are tracked

Farmers' protest shows need for laws in sync with stakeholders: UN rights chief
- The UN high commissioner for human rights was also critical of action taken by Indian authorities against journalists covering the protests and efforts to curb freedom of expression on social media.

Former Spanish king pays 4.4 million euros to tax agency

US will hold Russia accountable over Crimea annexation, says Biden

Canada approves AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine

Indo-Canadians protest attacks over stance on India’s farm reforms

Soaring US incomes help drive biggest spending gain since June
