Musharraf: All Elected Governments Have Failed Pakistan

Former Junta Leader Hopes People Welcome Him Back

by Jason Ditz, November 12, 2010

In an interview with National Public Radio in the US, former Pakistan junta leader General Pervez Musharraf today condemned the concept of elected civilian governments, saying that every single elected government in history has failed Pakistan.

Musharraf took control of Pakistan in a 1999 coup and ruled through 2008 when major protests forced his ouster and free elections. With corruption allegations dogging the new government, Musharraf has expressed hope that the Pakistani public will welcome him back as their ruler.

Musharraf has been living in exile in Britain since leaving office, but has recently embarked on a speaking tour across the US to drum up support for his return to power. He insists he intends to return to Pakistan and return to power by 2013.

His ability to actually return to power is very much in doubt, however. Though the ruling Pakistani Peoples Party government has fallen out of favor pretty quickly many in Pakistan have remained angry that Musharraf left the country without being tried for treason, and are unlikely to welcome him back as an alternative.

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