Former Pakistan president seeks another chance

Former President of Pakistan General (retd) Pervez Musharraf has said that his slogan for the next general elections will be ‘Peace, Employment, Education and Justice'. "Pakistan is in acute danger these days and there is need to focus on these four main issues to save the country," he said while addressing a function in Dubai on Sunday organised by his All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) to celebrate Pakistan Independence Day. He said the political anarchy, economic downturn, poverty, unemployment, soaring prices of commodities, shortage of power, deteriorating law and order situation, corruption, nepotism and black market have thrown the country in to deep crises. He noted that Pakistan has been isolated internationally with no respect due to its corrupt rulers." Musharraf urged the Pakistani people to play their role to change the political status quo in the country and vote out the current rulers. "Give me another chance and I promise with you to bring about positive change in Pakistan and save the country," he said while raising his fist in the air — his trade mark action when he delivers an emotional speech. "If I succeed, I will hand over the country to the youth — the future of Pakistan," he said. Turnout Musharraf's who was clad in green shalwar kameez (traditional national dress) and a white coat, was greeted with slogans by more than 1,500 people at Al Maktoum Hall of the Convention Centre at the World Trade Centre in Dubai. He was accompanied by his wife Sahba Pervez who was also wearing green and white dress to complement Independence Day. Musharraf has already announced to go back to Pakistan on March 23 to pitch his party as an alternate political force for the next elections in 2013. "Political status-quo will change only if we change the political culture in Pakistan and bring APML as alternate political power in Pakistan," he said. Musharraf is banking on the youth vote bank and those who have never voted in Pakistan elections. "I want you to come forward and vote for a positive change in your country," he asserted. Recollection Musharraf also recollected his train journey from India to Pakistan at the time of Independence in 1947 and reminded people about the hardships and sacrifices their forefathers had to face to get a separate country for them. "We would have no recognition in the world but for Pakistan," he said in his heavy assertive tone — typical of an army general. He noted that sectarianism, ethnic violence and provincialism are the order of the day in Pakistan while mosques and madrassas are being used for extremism. Akbar Ali Shah, a Dubai based active member of APML representing the young supporters, urged the youth in Pakistan to be responsible and cast their votes in the next elections to elect Musharraf. He said 90 per cent of the APML members are those who are have never participated in a political process in the past. Shah informed the audience that APML is fast expanding across Pakistan and Europe as well and its members are growing very rapidly. Musharraf's Dubai-based supporters Colonel Sher Ali, Mohammad Khurram and Malek Nouraid Awan were also present at the occasion among others.