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| October 12 coup, Bugti’s murder and Nov 3 steps Musharraf passes the buck to Army |
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Monday, September 14, 2009
Says King Abdullah assured him Nawaz won’t press for his trial; admits violating rules governing US aid for strengthening army against India in national interest
LONDON: Former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf has involved the Pakistan Army in his controversial acts as the president of Pakistan.
In an interview, he said he had taken the November 3 steps in consultation with nine corps commanders, the then director general Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the current chief of Army staff, the prime minister, cabinet members and governors, adding that no one could touch him. He said his government and the Army were both responsible for the November 3 action.
Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had already made up his mind to declare him ineligible for the presidential election, therefore the bench was changed thrice, he alleged. To a question, he said the country’s situation before the military coup on October 12, 1999 was deteriorating and the decision to topple Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif’s government was taken by the whole Army.
When asked about the murder of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, he said some elements were keen to file a murder case against him but the whole Army and intelligence agencies were involved in the operation in which Bugti lost his life.
He claimed that Khadim-e-Haramain Sharifain Shah Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz has assured him that Nawaz Sharif would not press for his trial under Article 6 of the Constitution. He said he would expect justice from Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry if he was tried under Article 6 of the Constitution. He said if he was tried under Article 6 then he would also ask the Supreme Court to try those judges who assisted him. He said he was ready to appear before the Supreme Court.
Replying to another question, the former president said he received $200,000 for delivering lectures in India and now he would leave for the US on September 15 for the same purpose. He said he would be able to purchase a house in London after delivering lectures in the US. Replying to another question, he admitted that aid and weapons supplied by the US were used to strengthen Pakistan’s defence against India.
PTI adds: Musharraf admitted that he had violated rules governing the use of the military aid, and justified his actions by saying he had “acted in the best interest of Pakistan.” He said he “did not care” whether the US would be angered by his disclosure.
The former military ruler, who resigned as President in August last year to avoid impeachment, said he was not ready to compromise on Pakistan’s interests. India and several influential lawmakers in the US have been saying that Pakistan had used funds given to it by the US to take on militants to strengthen its defences against India. However, Pakistan had been denying the charges.
Musharraf said that if he had not supported the US in the war against terror after the 9/11 attacks, American forces could have entered Pakistan to capture its nuclear assets. He said it was also possible that the US and India could have jointly attacked the country.
Musharraf said Pakistan’s nuclear programme was so advanced during his tenure that scientists had not only begun enriching uranium but had also developed plutonium-based weapons.
Asked about scientist A Q Khan’s claim that he had been forced to make a confession about running a nuclear proliferation network, Musharraf said Khan “had done a lot but he was lying that he was forced to apologise before the nation”.
According to Online, Musharraf elucidated that there were other more challenging issues in the country and in the prevailing circumstances the government and opposition should look forward instead of confrontation on Article 6.
He claimed that all the political forces were taken on board regarding the NRO. There was no major difference between his and President Zardari’s policies towards America, he said. Pervez Musharraf said during his tenure he took every decision in the national interest by keeping in view majority thinking of the nation.
Replying to a query regarding PML President Ch Shujaat Hussain’s charges about February 18 polls rigging, he said: “I was not responsible for the defeat of the PML-Q in February 18 polls, as it was out of question that a man could be involved in the defeat of his supporters”.
To a question about his return to Pakistan, he stated, “Whenever the masses aspire for my role in politics, I would be in the country. However, it could be too early to disclose any date about my return to the country, as I am going to visit America soon to deliver lectures.” He maintained that the nuclear system of Pakistan was very sophisticated and safe, however, the episode of atomic proliferation maligned Pakistan worldwide.
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briefs...
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ISSN 1563-9479 
