Going back to Pak to join politics, says Musharraf

Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, on a self-imposed exile for more than a year, has said he plans to return home to re-enter politics and did not rule out making a bid for premiership.

"I certainly am planning to go back to Pakistan and also join politics. The question of whether I am running for president or prime minister will be seen later," Musharraf told the CNN in an interview on Thursday."I have to launch myself politically, formally, which I haven't done," Musharraf said, adding that he is interacting with a lot of politicians, with the people of Pakistan and the Pakistani diaspora in the United States and Britain.

"We run a parliamentary system there," 67-year-old Musharraf said. "So you have to -- your party has to win in the election. Then only do you decide to run. Basically, you are heading the party, you are running for the prime ministership," he said. "Because in Pakistan, the chief executive is the prime minister, not the president." However, the former Pakistani dictator did not give exact time frame for his return, as clamour grows in Pakistan for allegations that he did not do enough to prevent the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

A demand has also been voiced to seek his clarification on the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance which is currently under scrutiny of the country's Supreme Court. Under the NRO, a number of Pakistani politicians and officials, including President Asif Ali Zardari, were granted amnesty from prosecution on corruption charges. "I have taken a decision in principle to join politics and go back to Pakistan,... it (return) is related to the election in Pakistan. I am very sure of one thing, that, whether it's end-term elections or midterm elections, I will be there before those elections," he said.

 "There's no sign (of mid-term election). If at all, it will be next year, maybe, 2011," he said. Musharraf conceded that security would be one of the issues when he returns back home. "Well, there are security issues. Maybe my wife and my family is more worried than I am. But there are security issues, which one needs to take into consideration. And that is why I'm not laying down any dates for my return. I'm looking at issues there, but I do intend launching and declaring my intention formally sooner than later," he said.

When asked about the unfortunate fate of Bhutto, Musharraf said: "Well, I hope I'm more lucky -- luckier than her."