KARACHI, March 27: Former military ruler retired Gen Pervez Musharraf has said that if the general elections fail to break the “political status quo” and pave the way for a new political force then “may God help Pakistan”.

Addressing his first press conference after returning from self-imposed exile in Dubai and London, he said the PML-N and the PPP had been in power one after the other but failed to deliver. “Reposing confidence for the fourth time in the tested parties … is not going to make any difference,” he remarked and expressed the hope that the experience of the last five years would have forced the people to elect only the good candidates.

Gen Musharraf said his nomination papers for contesting the May 11 elections from Chitral would be submitted soon while the decision about filing his papers from NA-250 comprising the DHA area in Karachi would be finalised by Thursday.

“I have good ties with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement since 1999-2000,” he said and added there was no harm if a military man landed in politics, pointing out the historic contribution of Gen Charles de-Gaulle of France, Gen Eisenhower of the US and other military rulers in South-East Asia who had built their nations after joining politics.

Gen Musharraf, who is chief of the All Pakistan Muslim League he founded two years back, said there was need to “change our mindset. No doubt everyone thinks about his own wellbeing but there are some others who care more for the nation.” If he had interest in his own wellbeing, he need not have come to Pakistan leaving all facilities and respect which he commanded overseas, he said.

“My purpose of returning home is for the sake of the country and the nation.”

He said that when he had resigned in 2008 the country and the nation were on the road to progress and prosperity. “Where is that Pakistan, where is the prosperity of people, where is the Karachi which I had left,” he retorted to the question about the purpose of his indulging in politics despite his eight years as a military ruler and president.

When asked if he his return to the country was part of some deal between him, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and the Saudi government, Gen Musharraf said he never sought any favour from anyone. “I have a status and have friendship with many rulers.”

He said there was a law and order problem which was very bad. “The media should ponder over who wants to harm Pakistan, foreign hands cannot be ruled out in promotion of terrorist activities along with anti-state elements. Why people did not talk about them while others were exploiting it to promote their politics, although the national interest should be foremost.”

Replying to a question, Gen Musharraf said the poor reception accorded to him at the airport was because of confusion created due to cancellation of his public meeting near the Quaid-i-Azam Mausoleum and people had failed to determine where he was supposed to arrive at the old airport or Jinnah Terminal.

He said he had presided over a meeting the APML’s district presidents and secretaries from Sindh and taken into account the aspiring candidates. He would go to people to seek support for his party’s candidates in public meetings, but after consulting his colleagues on whether to hold meetings at the district or divisional level.

Gen Musharraf did not appear composed at the start of the press conference but gained confidence with time and answered every question with ease — from Nawab Akbar Bugti’s murder to Lal Masjid tragedy, May 12 mayhem in Karachi, house arrest of judges of the apex court, 9/11, handing over of Dr Aafia to the US, Kargil issue and nuclear programme.

He said that in the past he had been running the party by remote control and had no time to formulate an election strategy as such and he had selected candidates after consulting his colleagues. However, in all four provinces enough candidates had come forward whose details would be given to the media after some time, he said.

Gen Musharraf said he would not claim a tsunami-like situation like some other parties but was hopeful that enough of his candidates could win seats.