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Musharraf not ruling out return to politics

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Connector of the Day: Pervez Musharraf
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf not ruling out a return to politics
  • He said he was not sure if he would create his own political party if he returns to politics
  • He stepped down in August 2008 as the ruling coalition began steps to impeach him
  • He had swept into power in a bloodless coup in 1999; was dealt a blow in elections in 2008
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(CNN) -- Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf, who resigned under pressure two years ago, is not ruling out a return to politics.

"Every Pakistani -- every patriotic Pakistani -- feels it in his heart and I also do that at this moment Pakistan is not doing too well," he said in an interview that aired on CNN's "Connect the World" on Monday.

"So, if I can contribute anything to the country and if the people of Pakistan want me to contribute, I certainly would like to look into that."

Musharraf stepped down in August 2008 as the ruling coalition began taking steps to impeach him.

He had swept into power in a bloodless coup in 1999, and ruled for almost a decade before his party, Pakistan Muslim League-Q, was dealt a significant blow in parliamentary elections in 2008.

Musharraf said he was not sure if he would create his own political party should he return to politics.

"I don't know as yet. One has to address all these issues. But one thing is sure: I believe very strongly in the military maxim, 'Never reinforce failure.' So I wouldn't like to reinforce failure."

The former president said Pakistan has failed politically.

"Democracy in Pakistan has not really ever been very successful. And I mean 'successful' when we expect democratically-elected governments to perform for their country, that the country should be moving forward -- progressing -- and the welfare and well-being of the people (are) being addressed," he said.

"If that is not being done, I think we need to look into ourselves what is it lacking in the democratic political dispensation in Pakistan."