Economy, extremism two major challenges: Musharraf
Say he was against drone attacks and Abbotabad operation by the US forces.
KARACHI (Web Desk) – Talking to an online magazine Musharraf said success in these two areas is Pakistan’s stability former President Pervez Musharraf said two things were important to him: Pakistan s economy absolutely has to be brought back on the path to success, and fight against terrorism and extremism.
“Success in these two areas of policy is the key to making Pakistan a stabile and healthy country. I want to bring Pakistan on the path to prosperity and to free it from terror,” he said.
He said his popularity up until 2007 was at 78 percent.
“All social and economic indicators showed that Pakistan was an up-and-coming country,” he said.
The past five years of democratic governance, in contrast, were a miserable failure, Musharraf said.
He said he never gave consent for drone attacks and was against such attacks.
Regarding Bin Laden operation in Abbotabad he said he doubted as to whether bin Laden was living in that house for five years.
“I honestly don t believe it, and I have my own good reasons. The United States has given no evidence that this was truly the case. I rather presume that he was only temporarily in Abbottabad.”
Criticizing the operation Musharraf said no country is allowed to violate another s sovereignty like the US did, this operation should been undertaken by Pakistani security forces.
When asked that the Pakistani ISI, the CIA is accused of complicity with extremists, Musharraf said: “Accusing Pakistan s military and intelligence service of complicity is nonsense. You can accuse us of negligence, but not complicity.”
“I m against these drone wars. It s also an infringement on our sovereignty. If the US wants to fight terrorists with drones, they should provide us with the corresponding technology so that we can carry out that fight.”
When asked about threats to his life by the Taliban, Musharraf terrorists had repeatedly tried to send him to hell over the past 12 years but had been unsuccessful and would remain so.
“My experience as an officer is that the most dangerous situations aren t so terrible once you re in the middle of them. One thing becomes clear: They were there only to create fear. And I know that fortune favors the brave.”
