Islamabad, Shawwal 22, 1431 H/Oct 01, 2010, SPA -- Pakistan's former president, Pervez Musharraf, who ruled the country for nine years, on Friday launched a new political party, asking the nation to forgive him for past mistakes. "The political alternative in Pakistan does not show any light," dpa quoted Musharraf as telling hundreds of his supporters at his residence in London while launching the All Pakistan Muslim League party in a speech televised in Pakistan by almost all private TV channels. "I can give that light. I have confidence that I can bring Pakistan towards that light in this hour of darkness," said the 67- year-old army general who has been living in self-exile since 2008, when he was forced to quit power following democratic elections. The former president said he will be back in Pakistan before the next scheduled votes in 2013, although he refused to give an exact date. --SPA 21:02 LOCAL TIME 18:02 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/822358