Former president Musharraf announces return in January

Former Pakistani president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf has announced that he would return to Pakistan in January 2012, media report said Monday. Pakistani ‘Express Tribune’ reported that Musharraf made the statement via a videoconference in Lahore from London. He warned against dragging the military into politics adding that he said would be fatal for the country. Musharraf said that the ISI and Army were a guarantee of Pakistan’s solidarity and sovereignty, adding that some elements were conspiring to use the ‘memo matter’ to defame the ISI and the Army. He urged the people to cast their votes for capable leaders ignoring affiliations of caste and creed and clear of linguistic, religious and provincial prejudices. He also said that Pakistan faced enormous crisis due to incompetent leaders. No institution could steer the country out of the current quagmire on its own, he added. “I led Pakistan towards prosperity and stabilised the economy during my regime. I also improved the image of the country worldwide. I will soon be among my countrymen. Those making all kinds of allegations against me will be unable to prove a single allegation of corruption against me,” he reiterated.