Musharraf won't return to Pakistan for now: aide

Former President Pervez Musharraf has no immediate plans to return to Pakistan and resume political activities, one of his close aides has said.

"No, he (Musharraf) is not coming to Pakistan. He has no desire to do so as of now. Such talk is there in the media and newspapers but I think he is not coming back," former National Security Advisor Tariq Aziz said.

Contrary to the impression being created by certain elements, Musharraf was not planning on returning to the country or joining politics, Aziz said on Sunday.

Aziz declined to comment when he was asked if the former military ruler would join any political party.

"It's not an inappropriate time to reply to this query," he said.

In response to another question, Aziz said the people had learnt a lot after rejecting Musharraf.

Referring to the hardships people were facing under the current democratic government, he said the public "would learn even more".

"The economic situation was much better during Musharraf's regime but the poverty level is witnessing a surge now... Now people are thinking that Musharraf's regime was better," he said, adding that the government should change its policies to control widespread poverty.

Musharraf has been living abroad since he left Pakistan in mid-April last year to deliver a series of lectures in various countries. He resigned as President in August 2008 to avoid impeachment by the Pakistan People's Party-led government.