ISLAMABAD, May 7 Former president Pervez Musharraf said on Friday he planned to formally join politics from the platform of his own party -- All Pakistan Muslim League (APML).

He made the announcement in a teleconference held at a house in Sector F-6. Two of his close aides -- Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif and Maj-Gen (retd) Rashid Qureshi -- conducted the event.

“I have decided to take part in Pakistan's politics and be there during the next elections,” Mr Musharraf said in the brief address.

He said he was determined to return to Pakistan because he had received a lot of support from Pakistanis during his recent travels to various countries. “The Pakistanis I have met abroad have told me I should return to the country.”

About his future plans, he said “My views on taking Pakistan towards progress will be revealed at an appropriate time. I will soon place my vision before the people.”

He said that members of his fan club on Facebook had increased to 175,000 and CNN declared him “Connector of the day”. “If you are with me, I will not let you down,” he said.

Earlier, Barrister Saif planned to dress a press conference at the National Press Club, but the management of the club did not allow him to do so. Mr Saif accused the management of cancelling the press conference because of some pressure.

NPC president Afzal Butt rejected the allegation and said “Musharraf knows very well that the Pakistani media does not accept any pressure.”

The retired general has already applied to the Election Commission for registration of his party. Sources said the application named Barrister Saif as chairman of the APML, Sher Alam Khattak as president, Chuadhry Abdul Ghafoor as senior vice-president and Rai Mulazam Hussain as secretary general.