Musharraf resigns as leader of APML, to stay away during poll

Islamabad: Former Pakistan military ruler Pervez Musharraf on Friday sent his resignation to Election Commission from the presidency of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML).

The Election Commission has issued directives to remove Mr Musharraf’s name from party presidency. Mr Musharraf’s lifetime disqualification by Peshawar high court caused a hindrance in the way of party registration.

APML spokesperson confirmed the resignation of Mr Musharraf and said that the decision was taken during a party meeting held on June 18. Dr Mohammed Amjad has been appointed as the interim head of the party who will look after the affairs of the party till the restoration of Pervez Musharraf.

On June 13, the Supreme Court had summoned Pervez Musharraf back to Pakistan. CJP remarked that Pervez Musharraf will not be arrested until his appearance in the court.

The court warned that the former military ruler’s nomination papers will not be reviewed until his return.

Meanwhile, disgraced nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan has said that he had no political ambitions.

In an interview with Arab News, he said that as Pakistan heads towards the general election next month (July 25), he has “no political plans.”

Dr Khan had dissolved his political party, Tahrik-e-Tahaffuz-e-Pakistan (Movement for the Protection of Pakistan), after the 2013 election.

“The formation of that party was at the insistence of many people and I gave them the opportunity to try. However, there were no good results. Politics in Pakistan requires rolling banknotes,” he said. On Wednesday, the Election Commission of Pakistan made public the assets of main electoral candidates in the 2018 elections, figures that have shown rich political leaders living lavish lifestyle. Pakistan problems are caused by the “corrupt system and political inabilities” where leaders had most of their wealth stashed abroad and “little interest in safeguarding national interests,” he said.

“See how Pervez Musharraf sold this country’s sovereignty to the West at a simple phone call from the US. For that, we have paid, and are still paying, a very heavy price,” he said.

Dr Khan alleged that he was sacked by Mr Musharraf on a US whim at a time when he could have done much more for Pakistan.

“I could have done a lot more for Pakistan in the years after my retirement but was prevented from doing so by him (Musharraf). Now he (Mr Musharraf) himself is in disgrace while the nation still honours me,” said the 83-year old former nuclear physicist, recalling his sacking.