Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf says he is ready to launch a new party on 1 October in view of the presidential elections of 2013, for which he intends to run. Meanwhile, the tragedy of flood victims in Pakistan continues unabated and the Minister for Minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti, complains: "The Taliban and al-Qaeda presence in the country is increasing. They are behind the latest attacks on Christians. "
Speaking from Hong Kong after two years of exile in London, Musharraf has accused Afghan President Hamid Karzai of "having no legitimacy," urging the West to continue the fight against the Taliban and not abandon the region. Musharraf, 67, said he is not afraid of facing prosecution by returning to Pakistan: "There are many factors and political elements against me. They will have to be faced. I am very confident that nothing will happen. "
The former president did not specify where he will launch his party - called the All Pakistan Muslim League - but according to reports the event could take place in London. The return of Musharraf to the political scene could change the situation for minorities in the country, under the constant threat of Islamic extremists. A military man by profession, the former president is moving towards an authoritarian government but one that is also extremely tough on fundamentalists.
According to Bhatti, who is in Rome for talks with the Italian government, "the growing violence against religious and ethnic minorities is due to independence movements and foreign terrorists like the Taliban. They are the ones who want to destroy Pakistan's internal balance. "