Musharraf '200%' sure of taking part in 2013 Pak polls

Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has said he is forming a new party to return to active politics in the next election scheduled for 2013 and take his country forward on a "correct" democratic path.

"Two hundred per cent, I will participate in the next election," Musharraf, who has been living outside Pakistan since April last year, told BBC.

Asked about his plans for the next elections in Pakistan, he said he would be "standing for a party that I'll create."

Musharraf said he would stand for a seat in the next Parliament and that he hopes to become either Prime Minister or President.

"I can't be sure of becoming President again but I believe there is a good chance of my winning," he said.

"I do intend creating a new party because I think a time has come in Pakistan when we need to introduce a new political culture, a culture which can take Pakistan forward on a correct democratic path and not an artificial, make-believe democratic path," he added.

In the past few months, Musharraf's aides have put together a new party called the All Pakistan Muslim League which, they said, would be led by the former President on his return to the country.

The party has been active in raising funds for victims of the devastating floods in Pakistan and Musharraf personally donated Rs one crore for relief efforts.

Musharraf resigned as President in August 2008 to avoid impeachment by the Pakistan People's Party-led government. He moved abroad after a slew of cases were filed against him.

He acknowledged there were "many issues" involved with his tenure but claimed that his regime had "done wonders" for Pakistan.

"Although I was very legitimate, I lacked the legitimacy because I was in uniform," he said.

"I did very well for Pakistan. I know that and I can challenge anybody on any point as far as Pakistan as a state and the people of Pakistan are concerned. We did wonders for them in those seven years which should be compared with the 50 years of the past," he said.