Musharraf raises Rs.240 mn for Pakistan flood relief

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s former president Pervez Musharraf raised Rs.250 million through a televised campaign seeking relief for the flood-affected people in the country, a media report said Tuesday.

Taking part from London in a three-hour live “telethon” on Pakistan’s Dunya TV Sunday night, Musharraf appealed for funds and people from across the world responded generously, pledging upwards of Rs.250 million, DawnNews reported.

People phoned in to the show and pledged donations for the Pervez Musharraf Foundation which, according to the former president, has been registered in Britain.

Responding to questions by his supporters about his future plans, the former military ruler said that he has plans to return to his home country during the next general election.

Musharraf, who seized power after toppling the Nawaz Sharif government in 1999, led the country for nine years. He has been living in self-imposed exile, shuttling between Britain, the US and Dubai, for more than two years now. Following the general election in Pakistan two years ago, calls for Musharraf’s impeachment grew and he chose to resign Aug 18, 2008.

However, he has been harbouring hopes of returning to power and has also launched his own political party, the All Pakistan Muslim League.