2 October 2010 Last updated at 16:09 GMT
Musharraf starts party comeback in Birmingham
Former president of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf has held a rally in Birmingham for about 1,500 people a day after forming a new political party
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2 October 2010 Last updated at 16:09 GMT
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Mr Musharraf, who resigned as president in 2008, said it was vital to address the largest Pakistani community outside of Pakistan.
Since he quit, the ex-military ruler has been living in exile in London.
He unveiled the All Pakistan Muslim League at a gentlemen's club in Whitehall, central London, on Friday.
Speaking ahead of the rally at New Bingley Hall in Birmingham on Saturday, Mr Musharraf told BBC News that he would set out his plans for the party.
"What better location than this which is the biggest (Pakistani) community in the world outside Pakistan," he said.
"After a long period of silence on my side, I have started now coming up front."
He said he wanted to encourage people to ignore the "vicious campaign" other political forces are waging against him and he vowed to return to Pakistan ahead of the next elections.
He has said he risks assassination if he returns to Pakistan.
"Now the issue is, we are not clear when the next elections will take place," he said.
"Depending where they take place, I will be there before that.
"Now, I need to create an environment before I go there and that is what I am trying to do."
Khalid Mahmood, MP for Perry Barr, was at the rally.
Outside the hall, there were protests from an Islamic political organisation which accused Mr Musharraf of supporting the US in the war in Afghanistan.
Khawaja Shafique, UK representative of Pakistan's ruling party, Pakistan Peoples Party, who lives in Birmingham, said Mr Musharraf would not regain public support.
"He has to go back to the root of the Pakistan public and he wants the support which he hasn't got."
Mr Musharraf seized power in a coup in 1999 when he was chief of Pakistan's army.
(bbc)
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