Former Pakistani president determined to face charges

Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf said that he was determined to face all charges and to stay in the country despite the change of government. Musharraf came back to Pakistan after four years of self-imposed exile to participate in the country's general elections, held May 11. His nomination papers were rejected from all the constituencies and as a result his party, All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), boycotted the elections. Three cases were filed against him in Supreme Court of Pakistan and the former military ruler was house arrested declaring his residence a sub jail due to security concerns. APML's Information Secretary Aasia Ishaq met Musharraf and quoted him as saying, "It is not in my nature to run away or turn my back." She told media that Musharraf had said that he would not leave the country whatever were the consequences. Musharraf took over the Nawaz Sharif government in a bloodless coup in October 1999 and ruled the country for almost nine years. After the arrest of the military strongman the Senate passed a resolution demanding the interim government to pursue the trial of Musharraf under Article 6 but the caretaker government refused to be involved as it did not have the mandate to do it. Nawaz Sharif is likely to be the next prime minister of Pakistan as his party has won the May 11 general elections and his government can pursue the trial of Musharraf. Asia said that despite unfavorable situation, the former president was not worried about Nawaz Sharif becoming the prime minister.