The Time magazine in its issue dated March 24, 2011, has published the answers of General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, the former President of Pakistan, to 10 Questions. A quick glance through these answers reveals that the former dictator still lives in hope and dreams of returning, as the savoir of Pakistan, who will be received by a tumulus reception. By contrast, here in Pakistan, there are arrest warrants for him, and a talk of requesting the Interpol for his arrest and return to the country. General (retd) Musharraf had nine long years directing the destiny of Pakistan during which the internal situation went from bad to worse, and the country is still reeling under unstable conditions. He states that he wants to return for the sake of Pakistan otherwise he is very comfortable. His governance was very successful, so he claims. But how do we in Pakistan measure the success he achieved? He plunged us in the American war on terror that has brought all its atrocities and mayhem into our homes, markets and places of worships. We witness terror attacks on our schools, security installations, shrines and religious processions in which hundreds have died. If this is the success that he achieved during his nine-year rule, there is a strong feeling that Pakistan will be better off without him. It is said that power corrupts, but now one feels that power also dulls ones mental faculties and ability to analyse. Had not this been the case, the ex-dictator would not have equated Pakistans destiny with his return. In his perception, Pakistan is suffering and it is his destiny to return to fill the leadership vacuum; maybe it is a call of destiny much more for the nation than for myself. This is self-praise at its highest. When one has such a bloated image of himself and his abilities, there is no power on earth that can convince him otherwise. One recalls his last address to the nation - when he announced his resignation from the office - in which he appeared down to earth and humble. He had to bow down to popular demand. But he was lucky that he commanded a measure of loyalty and respect in the army, and had a compromising civilian leadership, which facilitated his dignified and respectable exit. Had the will of the people - he advocates in case of Gaddafi - been in his favour, he would not have left the presidency. Pakistan suffered a leadership vacuum while he called the shots and made decisions; his actions and decisions plunged the country into worst national and international crises. There is no hope that he can bring about better leadership, although now some diehard loyalist may think otherwise. The will of the people still does not favour Muharraf to lead the nation. Sitting thousands of miles away from the country, he may not be getting the true picture and might be swayed by what he is being told by a few of his loyalists. He may even be suffering from egocentric images, but there is a strong political force that wants to put him on trial for treason under the provisions of the constitution; the incumbent government has implicated him in BBs assassination case and there is a warrant out for his arrest. Also, there is the pending case of Bugtis murder against him in the court of law. He has announced his return many times, but still has not picked up courage to step out of an airplane on the Pakistani soil. Though his family had visited Pakistan several times, yet he did not venture it. Perhaps, he pins his hopes on past events which had made the political returns of Mian Nawaz Sharif and Late Benazir Bhutto to the government. If that is what he bases his return on, he is completely devoid of reality. Political leaders have their roots in the masses and they grow with them. Dictators launch themselves on political authority riding on the power of the gun that they command. Leaders, who grow and mature with the masses, have a different perception of national demands and needs; despite our disappointments with the civilian leadership, it is still a shade better than a dictatorship. Pakistan endured dictators like Ayub, Yahya and Zia; Ayub and Yahya were forced to quit and none could make a comeback, as they lacked the support of the masses. They were sensible and mature persons, they did not even wish for a comeback. Musharraf also does not have the support of the people of Pakistan, and lacking popular support his comeback bid is a dream at best. In a previous interview, almost a year back, he had voiced his hopes for a comeback and had made careful declarations to garner popular support in Pakistans political environment. He had declared to uphold the ideology of Pakistan, had expressed support for the armed forces of the country, and vowed to eradicate militancy and terrorism. Many political analysts had opined then that the ex-General had appealed to the higher forces that mattered in Pakistan - Allah, Army and America. In response to the Time magazines questions, he again has tacitly opined on militancy, religious extremism and Pakistans nuclear capability, and all with the aim to be heard in the right quarters. He has voiced a veiled suggestion to the USA for not withdrawing from Afghanistan. He desires to learn from history, but he should note that a successful leader learns from the mistakes of others. Thus, he did not learn from the follies of Zia, who plunged this country into the abyss of militancy and religious extremism. History seldom allows the leaders to learn from their own mistakes. He took the same route and reaped the benefits. The General is lucky that he did not end like his predecessors. By his own admission he is very comfortable and goes round lecturing others, who pay him 'very well. He should enjoy his luxury residence abroad. Walk Che, his German shepherd, and live peacefully. He will be doing this hapless nation immense good by leaving it to its own destiny. We have had a bitter experience of destiny in his hands the people have not forgotten the Red Mosque, the killings and the drone attacks for which he laid the grounds. The writer is a freelance columnist.