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Pakistan has been dragged down by natural disaster, violence, and political discord. That may sound like opportunity to Pervez Musharraf. Just two years ago, the former president faced impeachment. Now, with Pakistan unraveling, the former general is launching a new political party. Laura Lynch has this report. Download MP3
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Musharraf talked with The World’s Marco Werman in October 2009. (Photo: Catherine Murphy)
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Web extra: Marco also asked Musharraf about his stay in the US:
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LISA MULLINS: I’m Lisa Mullins and this is The World. Pakistan’s role as a US ally goes through ups and downs. But today is a down day. Pakistani officials moved to block a key US and NATO military supply route into Afghanistan. We’re going to hear why in just a few minutes. First we turn to the man who for years was Washington’s key ally in the region. Pervez Musharraf was president of Pakistan between 1999 and 2008. He’s been living in exile since he stepped down. Now, though, Musharraf wants to re-enter Pakistan’s rough and tumble politics. The World’s Laura Lynch reports from London, where Musharraf is set to launch a new political party tomorrow.
LAURA LYNCH: It’s the kind of sound Pervez Musharraf has grown accustomed to as he tours the international lecture circuit. Last night, the Intelligence Squared debating forum attracted a sold out crowd to an upscale London neighborhood to hear from the former president.
CHRISTOPHER MEYER: General Musharraf needs very little introduction from me as you know he was leader in Pakistan, president of Pakistan from 1999 onwards. A job which Time magazine billed as the most dangerous job in the world.
LYNCH: But apparently, Musharraf wants back into power, dangers and all. It’s not official just yet. But Musharraf’s interrogator last night, former diplomat Sir Christopher Meyer, tried to tease it out of his guest.
MEYER: On Friday you’re going to make a big political announcement in your capacity as leader of the All Pakistan Muslim League. Now will you give us a sneak preview, please, of what you’re going to say on Friday?
LYNCH: Musharraf couldn’t resist. He is styling himself as the savior of Pakistan, ready to rescue it from the evils of corrupt and inefficient politicians. And Musharraf, the leader who seized and held power in a military dictatorship for almost a decade, is championing the cause of democracy and elections.
PERVEZ MUSHARRAF: I want to introduce a new political culture, democratic culture. And one of the elements is that I cannot put myself as the president. So I would much prefer that I’m going to join the APML as a member.
LYNCH: Make no mistake about it though, Musharraf is still a fan of Pakistan’s powerful military. He says the military should be given a greater say in the nation’s affairs. And he’s warning that with so much trouble in the country, there could be another coup, referring to a meeting just this week involving Pakistan’s army chief.
MUSHARRAF: Well, you’ve seen his photograph sitting with the president and prime minister. I can assure you they weren’t discussing weather. There certainly was, there was a serious discussion. Certainly at this moment all kinds of pressures must be on this army chief.
LYNCH: The fact that Musharraf is launching his party and his comeback in London suggests it’s risky for him to return. He still faces a number of criminal charges in Pakistan. On the streets of Karachi today, reaction to a Musharraf comeback is mixed.
MALE SPEAKER: We love Musharraf. I think he’s the best choice and is the best person because all these politicians, I’m sorry to say, these all are evils and they ruined the country.
FEMALE SPEAKER: I don’t think that it’ll be a good idea for him to come back. And I don’t think anyone wants him back quite honestly. I don’t. He thinks he’s a politician. Politicians very often say things they don’t really mean.
SPEAKING URDU
MALE SPEAKER: Look at the exchange rate now with the dollar, the price of gas, the inflation rate, and the law and order situation. There may have been some mistakes made during his rule. Everyone makes mistakes. But if we compare the situation with today, his era was much better.
LYNCH: For now, Musharraf will campaign from the outside, trying to persuade Pakistanis that he’s the best man to run the country. And he knows he has to shake the label that he’s America’s puppet, doing the White House’s bidding. So last night he made a point of decrying a NATO helicopter attack on a Pakistani security post earlier this week. He said the US and other countries have no need nor justification to take their battles inside Pakistan.
MUSHARRAF: If our forces are lacking in any potential, then the West or United States or the coalition forces should realize that and equip Pakistan army or air force to suitably deal with targets. So I would be the last person to recommend any crossing across the border to hit targets in Pakistan by any other force than Pakistan forces.
LYNCH: Still sounding every bit the military strongman, Musharraf says America and its allies are showing weakness every time they speak of ending the mission in Afghanistan. He speaks as a man without power or political office. Given Pakistan’s fractious and fragile state and his strong ties to the military, Musharraf has reason to hope his comeback will be a success. But this time, he has to depend on winning over voters, instead of winning power at gunpoint. For The World, I’m Laura Lynch in London.
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