Musharraf backs PTI, PAT protests

Pakistan's former president and military ruler General (retired) Pervez Musharraf said Wednesday that he can sense 'winds of change' blowing across the nation.

Appearing via video conference wearing a traditional Sindhi Ajrak shawl on his shoulders, Musharraf addressed workers of his All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) in Karachi from Islamabad last evening.

Referring to the anti-government protests led by the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and firebrand cleric Dr Allama Tahirul Qadri-led Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), the Dawn quoted him, as saying that both parties were well within their rights to protest; and that they had his sympathies.

The PTI has been protesting against the government over allegations of rigging in the 2013 general elections, while Qadri has rallied supporters against what he calls Pakistan's 'flawed' political system.

Both parties are calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who swept to power in the 2013 polls.

Musharraf, who is also facing high treason charges and a number of other legal cases, told his supporters that he had returned to Pakistan contest polls and bring political change to the country as it was the need of the hour.

But he added that legal and security threats he faced after his return were far greater than what he had anticipated.

Musharraf said that even after five years since he stepped down, things had barely changed.

The former military ruler claimed that he had been 'unconstitutionally' banned from contesting elections.

He said that he would continue to defend himself in court against the treason charges and other legal cases until justice is served.