ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Top political parties on Saturday ridiculed former military ruler Pervez Musharrafs claim of a return to politics, saying there is no room for him in the countrys political arena. Musharraf said that he would return to politics, form a new political party and stand for parliament at the next general election in 2013. His comments, given in an interview with the BBC in London, were greeted with scorn from political rivals. The former president is a coward man and he will not return to Pakistan, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Liaqat Baloch told AFP. The entire country is engulfed in a serious crisis because of the culture that Musharraf introduced in Pakistan. Neither does he enjoy public support nor will he find courage to return to Pakistan, he added. The brave former army commando preferred to run away instead of facing courts of law in Pakistan, Siddique al-Farooque, spokesman for PML-N, told AFP. He (Musharraf) lives in fools paradise if he thinks he will again become Pakistans President, Farooque said, referring to his current status as hibernation. He said: Musharraf must remember that whenever he gets out of this hibernation and comes back to Pakistan, he will have to face the courts. A former minister in his government welcomed the announcement. Musharrafs return to politics is the need of the hour and only he can safeguard Pakistan and its interests, Dr Sher Afgan Niazi said, adding that the former president had the vision and wisdom to save the country. He (Musharraf) is an asset for this country, who did a great job by protecting vital national interests and strengthening economy and social sector during his tenure.