PERVEZ Musharraf's is just too large a presence, courtesy his long years at the top, to be ignored. What is a difficult proposition, however, is to gauge the true significance of his party, the All Pakistan Muslim League, as a national player. The party carries a grand name, apparently in reaction to the 'limited' and 'regional' outlook of the other Muslim Leagues. But failing to attract even that set of old Leaguers who had gathered around the former general during his regime, eight months into its launch last October the party is yet to take off in earnest. The office-bearers, who have been named from time to time, have little to do other than praising the former general and, what is more important, giving the media possible dates for his return to Pakistan.

The latest naming of Musharraf loyalists to the APML offices can also be reduced to a ritual unless the holders live up to the descriptions of their jobs and their leader delivers on his promise of landing in Pakistan some time soon. On its own a report in Dawn on Monday is a recap of some famous names that are still associated with the Musharraf brand. Ms Atiqa Odho has been named as one of the vice-presidents of the party and Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain of Jhelum and Dr Sher Afgan Niazi are senior vice-presidents. The APML next needs to display its popular strength. This, as has been the case in Pakistan in the past, once again boils down to the public reception to a former ruler of this land upon his return. It was a flight back home in October 1999 that brought him to power. Gen Pervez Musharraf must take his second flight home to know how much respect he commands on the ground.