Musharraf unveils APML's manifesto

ISLAMABAD, April 15: The All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) on Monday revealed its manifesto for the upcoming elections. Addressing the unveiling ceremony of his party’s manifesto, held amid tight security at his farmhouse in Chak Shehzad near Islamabad, APML chief Pervez Musharraf said he had done nothing wrong but was ready to go to jail if the courts ordered it. “I have a conviction in my heart that I have not done anything wrong,” he said. “The only thing in my heart was to save Pakistan and now I am here I have the same commitment, that I will save Pakistan. ”Musharraf is currently fighting a barrage of legal battles in court, including his implication in the case of former PM Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti’s killing in a military operation and treason charges for sacking judges and imposing emergency in 2007. Asked what he would do if he lost the cases and was sentenced to prison, Musharraf told reporters: “If that is the decision, I am ready to go.”Revealing his party’s manifesto, Musharraf said it was modeled on the APML election manifesto of 2010 and was better than all other political parties, adding that it was linked with Sura Al Imran.Last week, the former military chief told CNN that he had authorised some US drone missile strikes on Pakistani soil during his 1999-2008 rule but on Monday he said he was now “totally against” them. Musharraf also vowed in his manifesto speech that, if elected into power, he would not allow any external forces to intervene in Pakistan, and that his party would work to further strengthen the country.The former military strongman said that one of the biggest ills affecting the country was nepotism and favouritism and his party would take all measures to root out corruption, especially in government circles and among the rich and powerful.Musharraf also said that alleviating the people’s despair and protecting Pakistan against external and internal threats were major parts of his party’s manifesto. The APML leader also vowed to work for the promotion of peace and prosperity in Pakistan if elected into power.He also stated that his party had an effective plan for the utilisation of water resources through the construction of the Kalabagh dam.He said that his party would also evoke strategies to enhance agriculture and improve irrigation in the country.Reflecting on the country’s politics, Musharraf said he was the only leader who had implemented an effective democracy in the country and, if elected in power, he would ‘restore’ democracy in the country.]]>