Ex-president in line-up at Hay Festival

Hereford Times - A FORMER president of Pakistan is to be one of the headline attractions at this year’s Hay Festival. Pervez Musharraf was president between 2001 and 2008 and the chief of army staff from 1998 until 2007.  The world famous festival will take place from May 27 until June 26 and is expected to draw more than 100,000 visitors to the market town.  Other guests booked to appear include writers Tom Stoppard, Christopher Hitchens, Fatima Bhutto, Bill Bryson, Martin Amis and Zadie Smith.

Peter Florence, who founded the festival with his father Norman in 1988, said it was important to have Mr Musharraf at the event.  “We’re based between the military communties in Hereford and Brecon,” he said. “Conflict resolution is a real and vital issue here. “We’ve always been interested in both the powerbrokers and the analysts of international affairs and it’s good to get beyond the US/UK experience after Carter, Clinton, Perlet and Bolton.

“Pakistan is the most volatile state in the East-West axis, so naturally we’re thrilled that he’s coming to speak.”