Former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday said that he does hold sympathy for 'mohajir' community but has no interest in the politics of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
"I have sympathy for mohajirs but no interest in MQM. I will try to do something for the betterment of mohajir community," said Musharraf while giving an interview to DawnNews.
Musharraf stressed on the need of a third political force to challenge the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
“I will try to unite different political forces to form a third power to challenge PML-N and PPP,” he maintained.
When asked about his possible return to Pakistan for political struggle, Musharraf said: “I will come back to Pakistan when court cases against me will conclude.”
“Political leadership in Pakistan is prolonging the cases against me and judiciary is under the influence of the current government,” he added.
'Gen Raheel should be given extension'
Musharraf also commented on the matter of appointment of next army chief.
“General Raheel Shareef should be given extension and he [Raheel] should accept it,” he asserted.
“Nawaz Sharif did not have good working relationship with anyone from the military leadership including Gen Abdul Waheed Kakar, Asif Nawaz, Jahangir Karamat and now Raheel Sharif.”
Senate chairman opposes Musharraf’s entry in politics
Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani on Tuesday said that if Musharraf returns to the country or enters politics “that day should be the last day of politicians in Pakistan”.
“The person [Musharraf] who violated the Constitution of Pakistan, who said yes to ‘do more’, the day he returns to the country and enters political struggle, it should be the last day of politicians in Pakistan,” he said.
“It will be shameful for us if the person who destroyed the country enters into politics,” Rabbani maintained.
Know more: Move to unite MQM factions under former dictator raises hackles
A hitherto unknown organisation had put up banners in the city on Monday and suggested that an alliance between retired Gen Pervez Musharraf and the Dr Farooq Sattar-led MQM-Pakistan, with the former having a leading role, would save Pakistan.
The mysterious banners, put up by unidentified men from the so-called Muttahida Qaumi Jirga-Pakistan, came a day after pro-Musharraf graffiti appeared in Karachi, particularly the city’s Central district which is considered an MQM stronghold.
MQM Pakistan has already rejected speculations over the 'plus one' formula proposed by the counsel for Musharraf, where he had hinted the inclusion of Musharraf in MQM as a party leader.
A video statement of Ahmad Raza Kasuri had surfaced suggesting inclusion of Musharraf in MQM as a leader. But MQM issued a statement to clear doubts regarding the speculation and rejected any such development.