In conversation with Pervez Musharraf. The former Pakistan president, Pervez Musharraf reveals his plans to return to politics. See more at: http://gulfnews.com/gntv
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00:00Are you regretting your decision to let, let's say, Benazir and Sharif come back?
00:12No, it was not my decision. Benazir came violating a decision, violating an agreement.
00:21But an environment had been created, political environment on the streets of Pakistan in 2007,
00:31which encouraged her and allowed her to come. And when she came, then this Nawaz Sharif and,
00:42frankly, Saudi Arabia thought that he should also be allowed to come back.
00:47So that created the turmoil. And it was accentuated when she got assassinated.
00:54The original agreement between me and her, she was not supposed to come before the election.
01:00Because I wanted the next elections to be very smooth, peaceful, calm, and frankly,
01:07I was very sure that we will again be elected, my supporters, and then I will remove my uniform
01:13and I will remain as a civilian president overseeing for another five years.
01:18And then I thought I'd fade away. I mean, everyone has to fade away. Now it is reversed.
01:24Now, when I was thinking of fading away, I need to restart.
01:28Today, Pakistan is faced with a crisis of lack of leadership and a political environment
01:37where there is no political party which can deliver Pakistan on problems.
01:41So what we have to do today is to create another political alternative.
01:46If we can do that, we will succeed. Now, if we want to, if we create a political alternative
01:55to be seen by the people of Pakistan as an alternative, which can deliver,
01:59and to be seen by the international community, that yes, this is an alternative,
02:05which maybe can save Pakistan because of the turmoil which will affect the whole region and the whole world.
02:12So they should see this alternative as the viable alternative. I am trying to do that.
02:19I don't think people are saying that I am being pushed into Pakistan by external forces.
02:27However, I would agree that external forces do have, do create an impact into the political environment of Pakistan.
02:40And when I say external forces, it is United States, Saudi Arabia and UAE also.
02:49So let me say I am fortunate enough that I have, I enjoy a good respect in all these three countries.
03:01So therefore that is my good fortune.
03:05But to go back into politics and be launched by only external forces is not correct at all.
03:13I need the mandate of the people of Pakistan from their hearts and minds.
03:18If I can do that, that is the salvation of Pakistan. I am trying to do that.
03:25Well, let me, I'll give it a good try.
03:27With nine years experience, I know what Pakistan needs and how Pakistan can be revived.
03:37Because it is the same story again of 99.
03:40I have analysed all developing countries. What are the problems?
03:45What are the problems of Pakistan, a society which is, which has diversity?
03:51So how do you gel a country together?
03:54What are the responsibilities of government?
03:57I personally believe that a leader's responsibility and a government's responsibility
04:05is number one to the people and number two to the state.
04:11They have, both are linked together.
04:14But to the people, it's the welfare, well-being of the people,
04:18their living condition, their happiness, their sense of satisfaction,
04:23which gives them confidence and which gives them a stake in the country.