Gen. (Retd) Pervez Musharraf, former military dictator of Pakistan who ruled the country with iron hand for about eight years, is entering Pakistan politics through a brand new political party of his own making.

On August 11, 2010 talking to The News International, Fawad Chaudhry, a close aide to the former President, said, Musharraf will formally initiate his political activities after the holy month of Ramadhan. According to the Chaudhry, Musharraf will brief the Pakistani and international media about developments in the final week of September 2010.

Musharraf with Dr. Qadir Khan: elliciting an apology

His new party is called All Pakistan Muslim League (APML). An online registration form is offered on Pasdar-e-Pakistan official site with a request to the masses to join the new political party.

The new political party has its precursor in Pasdar-e-Pakistan which Musharraf calls a grassroots organization of my supporters. In his message displayed on the official site of Pasdar-e-Pakistan Mr. Musharraf says that the Pasdars have been holding seminars, conventions, press conferences and public demonstrations on issues of national concern. They are engaged in building support all over Pakistan and beyond. Musharraf has requested the masses to offer their support to it.

Security at Musharraf's Farm House Increased

The News International, the second largest English daily in Pakistan after the Dawn, reported on August 11, 2010 that security around Musharrafs farm house at Chak Shahzad, a semi developed area near Islamabad, has been stepped up. On his return Musharraf risks arrests as he has been declared a proclaimed offender by Sindh High Court, apex court in province Sindh that currently is grinding under the threat of super flood.

Mainly, Musharraf is accused of imposing emergency rule and subverting the constitution of Pakistan in 2007. Musharraf also faces threats from militant outfits such as Taliban, Lashkr-e Janghavi, Sipah-e Sehaba and other banned groups that tried to kill him several times when he was in power.

Official Launching of APML delayed

The party was to be officially launched in June, 2010. However, on May 16, 2010 Chaudhry Fawad advocate, lawyer for Gen (Retd) Musharraf informed the media that the launching ceremony of the All Pakistan Muslim League, which was to be held in June, 2010 in Dubai to announce the office-bearers of the party, had been put off for the time being. No other reason was stated except that the Gen. was to go to the United States on an important visit in the first week of June.

Later, the launching was further delayed until July 2010. The venue was also changed from Dubai to London. It has not taken place yet. Even though the party has not been officially launched its chapters in Karachi and Gilgit are already inaugurated.

Presently, the Gen. is busy in finalizing the manifesto of his party that is still waiting upon its official launching. However, on October 15, 2010 he will launch another chapter of his party in Dallas city of the United States.

Musharraf Announces Rs. 10 Million for the flood victims

On August 12, 2010 in a video message on his official site, in an attempt to relate himself to the people of Pakistan at the tragic hour of trial and tribulations, Gen. Musharraf announced help of 10 million rupees (about 116,280 US dollars) for the flood victims. More importantly the government is not trusted and the money is to be used only through his party office bearers under his direct supervision.

Information

The new political party has its precursor in Pasdar-e-Pakistan which Musharraf calls a grassroots organization of my supporters. In his message displayed on the official site of Pasdar-e-Pakistan Mr. Musharraf says that the Pasdars have been holding seminars, conventions, press conferences and public demonstrations on issues of national concern.

First appeared in the Suite101 on Aug 13, 2010

Mohammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan;  nation's idol

Parveez Musharraf, former military ruler of Pakistan