Musharraf launches political party in London

London : Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf on Friday formally launched a political party here amid cheers of his supporters and pledge to tackle the political and economic problem of the South Asian nation.

On the occasion, Musharraf also admitted committing political mistakes during the last part of his rule and apologized to the nation.

?These mistakes caused damage to the country,? he said after launching his party ? All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), media reports in Pakistan said.

He said his party would wage a war against poverty and bring all the patriotic people under one umbrella.

Musharraf is living in the UK since he relinquished power in 2008.

The former military head of Pakistan was the tenth President of the country (2001?2008). He was the Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army from 1998 to 2007.

He took power on 12 October 1999, following a nonviolent military coup d’?tat and subsequent ouster of the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

On Aug 18, 2008, Pervez Musharraf resigned from the post of President under impeachment pressure from the coalition government.

He was succeeded by Asif Ali Zardari.