Guess Who's Back?
The answer is Pervez Musharraf. And he's back with a bang, causing all sorts of mischief even before rejoining Pakistan's political arena.
Pakistan's former president, Musharraf, has admitted that Pakistan was involved in imparting arms training to terrorists fighting in Jammu and Kashmir. He also spilled the beans saying the government under former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ignored the matter.
While India has always maintained that Pakistan has been behind training of militants in Jammu and Kashmir, this is the first time a high-ranking official has admitted to these accusations.
Musharraf recently made a foray into active politics by launching his own political party, All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) in London, where he lives in self-imposed exile. He justified Pakistan's stand in training militants against India by saying the neighboring country was not willing to resolve the Kashmir matter, bilaterally or through UN mediation.
Speaking to Der Spiegel, a German magazine, Musharraf said, "Yes, it is right for any country to promote its own interests when India is not prepared to discuss Kashmir at the United Nations and is not prepared to resolve the dispute in a peaceful manner."
These recent comments are likely to cause some sort of backlash from India, as Indian media reported that some logical conclusion will be demanded by their government to take appropriate action against Pakistan.
But from the looks of it, Musharraf doesn't seem to be bothered by repercussions of his testimony to the German publication. On a more positive note, however, he vowed to galvanize Pakistanis and fight a "jihad against poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and backwardness."
BBC News reported that there was no real likelihood of the General's returning soon.
Eager to meet Pervez Musharraf in person? Asia Society Texas Center will co-host a luncheon address by Musharraf in Houston on October 19, 2010. For event details, click here.
Meanwhile, tell us what you think. Is the time right for a Musharraf comeback? Does the exiled former President still have anything to offer his country? Add your comment below, and please remember to be civil, be brief, and stay on topic.