Musharraf yet to get any place in deeply politically divided society

Former military President Pervez Musharraf, who returned to the country on Sunday after over four years of self-exile, is struggling to for a political role but at the same time he faces arrest in several cases and also serious threats from the Taliban militants.

He could not attract a big crowd when he spoke to his supporters at Karachi air port that could the result of his highly controversial policies when he ruled the country as military ruler, the chief executive and the president from 1999 to 2008.

He had quit as President in August 2008 to avoid a possible impeachment by the parliament.

He had launched his own political party, All Pakistan Muslim League, during exile and is now determined to stand for the national assembly seat and to lead the campaign for his party.

Days before he landed at Karachi, the Pakistani Taliban released a video,  threatening to attack Musharraf for his role in the 20027 military operation against the Islamabad’s ‘Red Mosque’ in Islamabad, which had killed nearly 90 religious students and 10 security men.

The Taliban spokesman, Ehsanullah Ehsan, said in the video that the Taliban will target Musharraf.  Another Taliban militant was shown while imparting training to a group of the Taliban militants who he said will attack Musharraf.

Musharraf says he cannot be browbeaten by such threats and said these are not new for him. However, he is now escorted by heavy police force during his movement.

He says will contest from four different areas, with a hope to win the seat and reach the parliament. Political observers are of the view Musharraf will face tough task to win sympathies of the voters as many in Pakistan are not happy over his handling of the country’s affairs.

His will spend a lot of time in dealing with his cases in courts that will affect his ability to reach the masses and the Taliban threats will also restrict his activities.

Musharraf are facing several cases in court, including his failure to prevent the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Investigators say he did not provide security to Benazir when he she had returned to Pakistan in October 2007. He was killed in suicide attack and firing on Nov: 27 in Rawalpindi after she spoke at a rally.

Top cleric of the Islamabad’s Lal or Red Mosque has approached the Supreme Court to put Musharraf’s name on the Exit Control List alleging that he is the ‘main suspect’ in the military operation against the religious school.  He also demanded his arrest at a news conference on Tuesday.

Courts had issued arrest warrants for Musharraf during his exile and now he has got a two-week temporary protective bail but he will face the cases until they are decided.

Many of Musharraf’s political friends have left him in lurch and no one is willing to side with him on his return. He is thought to be trying to win some sympathy for the powerful group Mutahida Qaumi Movement in Karachi. However, the group has not yet given any indication to support him in his quest for contesting from Karachi.

It is also not clear if he would be declared as eligible to contest elections as he faces several criminal cases including detaining and keeping many judges of top courts who had refused to validate his emergency rule in illegal detention.

His policies during 1999-2008, particularly joining the U.S.- led international coalition against terrorism and offering the country’s air bases to the American forces to launch strikes against the Taliban in Afghanistan, were unpopular and he has lost many supporters.

Musharraf will take a long time to influence the public opinion at a time when the people have already politically divided. The people surrounding him are also not effective to win any parliamentary seat for his party.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Mar 27 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.