Musharraf may discuss politics with US officials

ISLAMABAD: Amid reports about his upcoming role in the political stage in Pakistan, former military dictator Pervez Musharraf has reached the United States for a 3-week visit where he is likely to have meetings with lawmakers and other officials of the United States at the Capitol Hill, sources told The News here on Thursday.

According to close aides of former president Pervez Musharraf, he would speak at Washington Ideas Forum scheduled to be held from September 26-29 at Washington DC after which, he would also hold interactive sessions with the members of the Pakistani community.

They claimed that the meetings of Pervez Musharraf at Capitol Hill would help clear the dust about his return to Pakistan to play an active role in the Pakistani politics.

It is pertinent to mention here that the former president who is facing multiple charges, including treason and murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, left Pakistan for Dubai in March this year for medical treatment when the Supreme Court lifted a three-year ban on his travelling abroad.

His aides confided to this correspondent that Pervez Musharraf believes that if Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan successfully disassociates itself from self-exiled leader Altaf Hussain then it can move along well with the support of Pak Sarzameen Party that is also doing anti-Altaf politics.

The sources said legal complications regarding cases against Pervez Musharraf is one of the biggest hurdles in his return to the active politics while some said the politics has now become a money-driven exercise and now political parties strongly believe in 'no money, no honey' concept in politics.

One of the former members of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) told this correspondent that "as far as I know, Musharraf always has political ambitions, so I can say he will certainly return to Pakistan before 2018 general elections."