Musharraf Seeks a Return to Power in Pakistan

Today, former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf launched a new political party at a press conference in London.

This can only mean Musharraf wants another chance to lead Pakistan.

Musharraf stepped down from power in 2008 after bringing Pakistan to the brink of civil war with his heavy handed interference in Pakistan's judiciary, his cavalier attitude towards the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and incompetence in fighting terrorism.

While Musharraf was ostensibly an ally of the Bush Administration in the War on Terror he was quick to make deals with Taliban and al Qaeda in northwestern Pakistan.

For his part, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto's widower, has made it clear that Musharraf is not welcome back in Pakistan and that he will remain in exile for the rest of his life.

While Pakistan is at the best of times politically unstable a case can be made that Zardari's administration has done a better job in fighting terrorism than Musharraf.

Pakistan's next presidential election is scheduled for 2013.