Musharraf enters re-election bid

A standing crowd of 300 broke into cheers Saturday night for a man many believe can bring new hope and change to a tumultuous Pakistan beset with extensive political and tribal hardships.

Pervez Musharraf, the former Pakistani president, was about to announce his bid for re-election more than 7,000 miles from Karachi.

Despite the distance from his nation’s capital, Musharraf was greeted like a true celebrity in a packed ballroom at the Westin Hotel in Lake Mary. The event, hosted by the Florida Chapter Friends of Pakistan First, was to advocate for Musharraf’s All Pakistan Muslim League, which was launched in June, in hope of bringing support for his political comeback.

Florida was just one of the stops along Musharraf’s U.S. visit to spread his mission, and rally support from the local community for the 2013 Pakistani Presidential elections.

“My objective should be the next elections, and I must win,” Musharraf said.

Support from the crowd was clearly shown as cheers shouted across the room “long live Musharraf” from one audience member; others clapped and praised his promises and accomplishments in Pakistan.

Musharraf, who served as the 10th President of Pakistan from 2001 to 2008 before resigning under threat of impeachment, elaborated on his accomplishments in infrastructure, equality, freedom of the press as well as his mission to eradicate corruption with reminders of the economic growth he brought to the region during his reign.

He was succeeded in 2008 by Asif Ali Zardari, husband of assassinated opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, who was gunned down less than two weeks before a presidential election in which she was to challenge Musharraf in 2007. Since his resignation, Musharraf has lived in London, but the pro-western and American ally has not forgotten about the struggles of his homeland.

“Empowerment of women is most important, empowerment of minorities and liberty to the media; this is the essence of democracy, and this is what we need to do,” Musharraf said. “Every Pakistani is equally important.”

These sentiments were echoed when he reminded the audience of the 33 percent of government seats that were appointed to women during his diplomacy.

“The people of Pakistan will come around and they will see the truth,” Musharraf said.

He also said when the people of the world see that they can save Pakistan from their problems they can move them forward.

Musharraf made it clear he was not perfect and apologized for his past mistakes.

“Decision-making is the most difficult thing in the world,” he said. “And at these difficult times, a leader finds himself completely alone.”

Musharraf’s political advisor Sher Afgan Niazi said Musharraf’s biggest accomplishment was turning Pakistan around, giving it respect, dignity and hope.

“People want change and they’re looking for another option,” Niazi said. “And Musharraf can provide that.”

A turbulent political climate in Pakistan could prove a formidable opponent on its own, regardless of Musharraf’s opponents in 2013. Though Musharraf left under political and popular pressure to resign, his elected successor has engendered even more political dissent. Zardari, who has ruled since 2008, has been accused of corruption and castigated for touring to raise campaign funding in August of this year while flooding in Pakistan destroyed the homes of more than 1 million Pakistanis.

Musharraf, in officially announcing his campaign for re-election, said he hoped to change things for the better in Pakistan.

It was change that rang loudly in the hearts of the many supporters Saturday evening as they rose to applaud the promise of a better Pakistan.

“The unity of court and action between the people, the military and the bureaucracy… can emancipate Pakistan,” Musharraf said. “They can take Pakistan out of the troubles the country is facing.”

A luncheon was also hosted earlier that day to welcome the arrival of Musharraf to Florida, where he was greeted with open arms, a house full of support from many community leaders and a dozen red roses labeled “freedom” – a word on the minds of many that day.