Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf says he is planning to return home and return to politics.
In an interview with the BBC broadcast on Friday, Mr. Musharraf, who now lives in London, said he is willing to risk his life in order to restore a sense of hope to his people. He criticized the current Pakistani government, accusing it of putting the country on "an artificial, make-believe democratic path" that has resulted in "darkness all over."
Mr. Musharraf said he will return to Pakistan and create a new political party before the next elections in 2013. He also defended his record as president and promised to answer any allegations against him.
The former army general stepped down in 2008 after political parties moved to impeach him for violating the constitution.
The ruling coalition accused Mr. Musharraf of imposing emergency rule in Pakistan so that he could fire senior judges. They said the move was part of an effort to circumvent legal challenges to his plans to run for a second term in office.
Mr. Musharraf denied any wrongdoing at the time, and further defended his record as president during the interview with the BBC.
He seized power in 1999, when he served as the chief of the country's army. Later, he became a key U.S. ally following the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.