Musharraf returns to Pakistan after self-exile, faces death threat

Karachi, Mar 24: Former military dictator Pervez Musharraf today ended nearly four years in self-exile defying threats of arrest and assassination by Taliban, saying that he returned home to “save” Pakistan and would face all “challenges” that lay ahead.69-year-old Musharraf along with a delegation of around 150 people, including supporters from his All Pakistan Muslim League and journalists, landed at Jinnah International airport here by a chartered Emirates flight from Dubai.Talking to reporters accompanying him from Dubai to Karachi, a smiling Musharraf said: “It is (a) very emotional (moment). I'm going back after four years.”“There are a lot of challenges. There are security challenges, legal challenges, political challenges. But I will face them,” Musharraf clad in an off white shalwar-kameez said as he made his way out of the aircraft.“Where are the people who said I will never return home. I have been receiving death threats and some people have been trying to scare me but I have returned home for the sake of my country and people,” an emotional Musharraf told his supporters.The former commando-turned-politician said he would soon be launching a countrywide campaign of public rallies and media interaction.“I have taken a big risk returning home now. But tears come to my eyes seeing the state of the country now. I ask where is the Pakistan I had left five years ago,” he said.“People have tried to sabotage my first public rally in Karachi and already hurdles are being created for me but I am ready to face all challenges whether they are security, political or legal issues,” Musharraf said.The former President claimed that he had been implicated in a lot of cases while in exile but he was ready to face them because he wanted to see Pakistan prosper again.“My party slogan today is save Pakistan. I am thankful and happy to see so many people come to welcome me,” he said.Delhi-born Musharraf was the mastermind and strategic field commander behind the highly controversial and internationally condemned Kargil infiltration, which derailed peace negotiations with India. Musharraf had left Pakistan on April 19, 2009, saying he was going abroad for a series of lectures. He did not return from that trip and several courts issued arrest warrants for the former President in connection with the killings of Bhutto and Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Bugti.Since then, Musharraf has been shuttling between London and Dubai and earned hundreds of thousands of dollars on worldwide lecture tours.On March 22, The Sindh High Court granted a 10 day pre-arrest bail to Musharraf in several cases in some of which he has been declared a proclaimed offender.Yesterday, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan threatened to use suicide bombers to target Musharraf when he returns home.In a video released to reporters in northwest Pakistan, TTP spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan said, “We will not leave you alive.”His planned press conference at the airport here was cancelled and would be held later in the week in Islamabad.Earlier members of his party had said security officials had advised Musharraf to not hold the press conference or address any rally because of security threats to his life.“But after hours of negotiations the former President made it clear he will not leave the terminal building without first addressing the media and his supporters who have come in thousands to welcome him home,” party spokesman Arif Ishaq said.The Sindh home department also revoked the NOC issued to the APML to hold a public rally at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam in the city later in the day which Musharraf was supposed to address to mark his return to Pakistan.Ishaq said Musharraf was very emotional on returning home after a long time in exile and was insistent on also going to the mausoleum to offer prayers.“He was very emotional and happy but a lot of questions remain on his future plans given the high security threats to his life,” another party member said.He is expected to stay in Karachi for two days before going to Islamabad where he ruled the country as chief executive and then President from 1999 to 2008.IANS adds: A plane carrying Musharraf, leaders of his party and media persons from Dubai landed soon after noon at the port city of Karachi where supporters accorded him a warm welcome.Musharraf had been living in exile in Britain and the United Arab Emirates since he resigned from his post in August 2008.An anti-terrorism court had issued arrest warrant in 2011 for Musharraf in connection with the murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. In October, a court also issued a warrant for his arrest over the killing of Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Bugti in a military operation in August 2006.Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, has also been charged with ordering a military raid on the Taliban-linked Red Mosque in Islamabad during his term.He dismissed all charges as politically-motivated and said in Dubai Saturday that he would defend himself in courts on return.Musharraf's Emirates flight from Dubai landed at around 12:45 pm after a journey that saw his official Facebook and Twitter accounts provide a running commentary, posting messages and photographs of him on board.“Settled in my seat on the plane to begin my journey home. Pakistan First!” said one message posted on the @P_Musharraf Twitter account, with a picture of him wearing an off-white, traditional salwar kameez outfit.Some of his supporters on the flight shouted “Musharraf zindabad”, annoying other people among the regular passengers. Musharraf was forced to cancel plans to address a public rally at the Karachi mausoleum of Pakistan's father of the nation Mohammad Ali Jinnah.Meanwhile Bhutto's son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is chairman of the Pakistan People's Party, has accused Musharraf of her murder.In 2010 a UN report said Bhutto's death could have been prevented and accused Musharraf's government of failing to provide her with adequate protection. His administration blamed the assassination on the Pakistani Taliban.