Musharraf may return soon: ex-Pak Army official - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

A former Pakistan Army official has said that former President General Pervez Musharraf could return to the country soon, as both the Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League –N (PML-N) have failed to prove any corruption charges on him. Addressing a seminar here, Major General (retired) Rashid Qureshi said Musharraf would definitely return to Pakistan on public demand. Describing the PPP and PML-N leadership as ‘corrupt’, Qureshi said both parties have no right to carry out accountability of other person. Condemning the US drone strikes in the tribal regions of the country, he said such missile hits were never carried out during Musharraf’s regime. Musharraf, who is currently living in London on a self-announced exile, has expressed his desire to return back to Pakistan . However, his close aides have advised him to delay his return, as the situation is not conducive. Many believe that Musharraf is eyeing another stint in the country’s politics, and may launch a new party of his own. Observers believe that the autocratic ruler is waiting for the right opportunity to announce his come back, but speculations are that he may never return, as he fears being put on trial for announcing an emergency in the state and disregarding the country’s constitution by dismissing the top judiciary in November 2007. It may be noted that the Pakistan Supreme Court has held Musharraf an ‘equal beneficiary’ of the now defunct amnesty law, the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). The apex court had also called Musharraf to be held accountable for giving shape to the controversial law. “Musharraf was an equal beneficiary of the ordinance. As observed by us, it was a deal between two individuals and not (national) reconciliation ... such a deal ... is tantamount to a grave violation of the constitution,” the court observed.