Timing is the essence of my return: Musharraf

On speculation that he would launch a political party on his return,the former President did not give a clear answer but said to generate direct public support he would have to “try something original”.

Answering questions posed to him by his fans on his page on the social networking website Facebook,Musharraf wrote: “As far as forming a new party or getting into an alliance is concerned,one has to be pragmatic”.

“Existing politicians have their importance and a definite role to play. I have to generate direct public support to try something original. I do believe in a military maxim: ‘Never reinforce failure'”.

Courts in Pakistan are hearing several cases against him,including those related to the steps taken under the emergency that has been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

“Our policy was clear: Pakistanis will be tried in Pakistan. Foreigners will be offered to their own countries first and in case of refusal (which was invariably the case,they) will be handed over to the US.

“The facts about Dr Afia Siddiqui’s case are still unclear,” Musharraf wrote.

He wrote that he had only heard Afia’s name through the media when the story of her arrest in Afghanistan became public.

Musharraf,whose fan base on Facebook is growing by the day,also posted a message on Pakistan founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah’s birth anniversary.

“I would like to reflect on how fortunate Pakistan is to have had a founder like Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah and revive our commitment to his dreams for us,” he said.