Musharraf eyes return to politics
Speaking on the sidelines of an investor conference in Hong Kong, Musharraf expressed confidence he could regain popularity and would return to Pakistan for the next national elections, scheduled for 2013. He said he will announce the establishment of the All Pakistan Muslim League in London on Oct 1 and outline his political platform.
Musharraf stepped down from office in August 2008 after months of protests and a heavy election defeat for his supporters. He now spends most of his time in Britain.
If he returns to Pakistan, he could face legal scrutiny over the coup in October 1999 that brought him to power and the subsequent nine years of military rule - particularly a state of emergency declared as protests against him mounted in late 2007.
"My going back is dependent certainly on an environment to be created in Pakistan," Musharraf said, but added, "I would say with certainty in the next elections, whenever the signs of the next elections come up, I will be there in Pakistan."
Despite serving as army chief and dominating his country for years, it remains unclear if Musharraf, 67, would now wield much political clout.
While he retains links to the country's army elite, he lacks a solid political constituency. During his rule, he was widely perceived as subordinate to Washington for supporting its fight against al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan, which could also hurt his standing among a largely anti-US public.
Musharraf acknowledged he had lost popularity in Pakistan, especially after firing the chief justice - who has since been reinstated - and the subsequent state of emergency. But he said he was confident he can rebuild a support base rooted in Pakistan's youth and others disillusioned with politics. He noted that more than 75 percent of his 295,000 followers on Facebook are between the ages of 18 and 34.
Musharraf said he isn't aware of any pending legal actions in Pakistan against him stemming from his presidency but is prepared to face any that emerge; Kazinform cites China Daily.
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