Now, Musharraf says he has not quit politics

Pakistan's former president general (retired) Pervez Musharraf has said he will enter active politics again after receiving certain assurances from the incumbent administration.

In a video message, Musharraf said he had resigned as chairman of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) only and not from politics.

The Dawn quoted him, as saying in his message that he wanted certain assurances, including that of not being arrested, the removal of lifetime disqualification and his name from the Exit Control List.

"If Khawaja Asif's (former defence and foreign minister) lifetime disqualification can be overturned, why not mine," he asked.

He added, "If Nawaz Sharif (former prime minister) has the freedom to move in and outside the country, why can I not have it."

He said that without the above assurances, he knew he could not do anything for his party or for himself, and, therefore, after consultation with other APML leaders, decided not to return to Pakistan.

He said he would reveal his future plans soon and believed that things will take a turn for the better.