In an interview on BBC HardTalk, Musharraf said that Mullah Omar “has no reason to be in Pakistan”. Musharraf explained that Omar is in Kandahar and is an Afghan leader operating from the Afghan countryside.
Musharraf also vehemently denied the existence of the Quetta Shura which US intelligence believes is headed by Mullah Omar from Balochistan.
“You say it is true, I say it is all nonsense,” Musharraf said to presenter Stephen Sackur about the presence of the Quetta Shura.
“If you think that there is a Quetta Shura regularly meeting with conference tables and a flag of Quetta Shura and Taliban … this is all nonsense.”
For years, the US officials have said the one-eyed Omar is based is in the south-western city of Quetta, not far from the Afghan border, where he heads a Taliban leadership council, or shura.
Pakistan rejects assertions that Omar is in Pakistan, or even that the so-called Quetta Shura exists. But such denials came under question after al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was found in the country after years of similar protestations.
During the interview, Musharraf was also asked about the Pakistani military’s ignorance of Bin Laden’s presence in Abbottabad, which the former general termed “bad luck”.
He also agreed that the relationship between Pakistan and the US has "fundamentally broken down", saying it is at the "lowest ebb".
Musharraf has lived in exile since stepping down in 2008 but hopes to launch a political comeback next year.
COMMENTS (67)
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@Hedgefunder:
Wht was the problem with the Kargil plot. Indian army is killing innocent kashmiris every day. For tht you wont open up mouth. Wht double standards.... Secondly Mr.Innocent Nawaz sharif knew whts happening thre are pictures with Musharraf showing him the sites.And Mr. Demoractic released him while he was on an international tour.... totally lame ...
Yeah, right!!
@Butt: Which plot are you talking about??? The one in Kargil ! Where he came unstruck, and decided to take over the Country in order to save his own skin !!!!!!!
This is totally out of context. Indians can make whatever comments they like because they are so afraid of our hero. Musharraf measures India very well. I always love the way Musharraf handles India's plot against Pakistan.
@Ali Noor:
I agree with you
@rehmat:
Yeah so if Jon Stewart says Pakistan is a traitor, we should believe tht right..???? Ask him how can the intelligence in US negelect and get got punched on the face on 9/11.
wht a joke...
Oh what a idiotic statement ! wasted all the money and resources spent upon him during all his tenure in the army-like most of our Bravos do. Same Muntra Same state of Denial Same not learning from the history attitude. Keep it up Bravos but remember the Sand shall not hold in your closed hands!
@hamza khan: lol where did u come with the 2500 number bro.all authentic sources indicate indian army suffered 527 killed 1363 wounded while the pak army's entire northern light infantry was wiped out with some 4000 troops dead,the post mortems conducted on the bodies indicated they had died of starvation and hunger.
@Dr.Kadar Khan FRCS: Yeah right a seal team killed an unarmed person and buried him within 48 hours. Why didnt they bring him to court? the story is fishy. Secondly the famous 9/11 or Mumbai attack took place because of intelligence faillures.
OBL was not even cammanding from that house. Even the neighbouring houses had no idea..but as usual we pakistanis expect our Army to do every thing ....lame
@Yousaf: He is 21st century Adventurer and Opportunist, nothing more !!! He tried it with his Kargil attempt and came unstuck, hence was sacked by Democratically Elected Government, so he seiges power in coup, on pretence of National interests !!!! Of course he is Pro Pakistan, as he has ambitions to return to the political arena in the country in near future !!!!!
Ninety percent of statements made by Musharraf are pure lies and rest ten percent are half truths.
All those who are opposing Musharraf.... you are ANTI Pakistan. Pervez Musharraf is PRO Pakistan thus we appreciate him for his statements, even if you all think he is lying.
He doesn't speak against the interests of Pakistan, unlike many others in or out of the government or a common man who has nothing to do with the politics, like you all anti Musharraf.
@Anon: Bro.. It will be more like 'I am not a Pakistani and possibly i am an Indian'...
Mr, mush, speak truth then good to hear. sometimes, latter is a dangerous thing
Musharaff in 2025 - " I was never in Pakistan"
One eyed person will be caught one day. Either thir side of border or opposite.
@rehmat: He is a former president, which gives him more say in pakistani politics than you and I. And as you so rightly pointed out that he attends these seminars only to get paid, not to represent Pakistan, yet when asked such questions he remains patriotic to the state and the deeper state within. Thus a pro.
@Anjum: And OBL left his wives and children in Abbotabad? And Al-Qaeda morned his loss on their web pages and appointed Zawahiri to replace him? And the Americans recovered his computers, hard drives, and such before leaving the compound! Maybe the Americans gave OBL a green card and he is now driving a cab in NYC!
Fools! And they're defenders of pakistan? God help Pakistan!
@hamza khan: "for all of these out of the know, happily-oblivous types trolling here, please provide one statement from president musharraf where he has CATEGORICALLY stated that OBL was NEVER in pakistan"
He said that in Jon Stewart's show. Jon Stewart rubbed it in his face when he invited him for a follow-up interview AFTER OSAMA was kiled. Musharraf just kept quiet. He could not defend himself. Google it. It is easy enough to find..
@Ali Noor: "Spoken like a pro. A good leader will NEVER share correct information about his/her countries intelligence aparatus. And those people who think musharaf should, need to grow up and not live in a bed of roses fantasy world".
He is not currently a leader of Pakistan. No one is asking him to share information, he is creating these speaking engagements for which he gets paid very well. So ofcourse if he shows up as a speaker, people will ask him questions.@Talal: "I’m surprised to see people actually believing that Osama bin Laden was found in Pakistan. How can you believe that bullcrap? No evidence, no photos, no body?"
So Osama's wives were in Pakistan's custody for months after US claimed they had kiled Osama. Why di Pakistan not ask them if their husband died now or 10 years back? Considering that everything else is denied by ISPR - if there was any chance to deny, I am sure Pak government would have but it did not.
@Shah: "In kargil didnt take the bodies????? Dude which Indian Times quoted that. Come out of the dark please"
In 1999 Pakistan's ISPR and governments information secretary denied that troops in Kargil were Pakistani soldiers. They claimed that this was an indigenous movement done by mujaheeds. SO when India tried to return dead bodies of soldiers, Pakistan refused to accept them. It is much later that Pakistan accepted that it was the regular army and not mujahids who were involved in Kargil and Musharraf even write it in hisbook.
So this news is not what Indian newsmakers were saying this is ISPR - Mushahid Hussain at that time..
Spoken like a pro. A good leader will NEVER share correct information about his/her countries intelligence aparatus. And those people who think musharaf should, need to grow up and not live in a bed of roses fantasy world.
You are wrong Sir. Mullah Omar studied here in our country from one of a leading Madrassa. If even he is not in Pakistan, at least he is "Made In Pakistan". No denials please ......
I'm surprised to see people actually believing that Osama bin Laden was found in Pakistan. How can you believe that bullcrap? No evidence, no photos, no body?
He said it ! Omar is in Pakistan. . Now, time to comb Pakistan friends !
@Aryabhat:
and he's the same man who inflicted 2500 dead indian soldiers on your sorry army in 3 months. after which your great country decided to induldge in a little corruption (because after all, its india) by ordering more coffins than were needed. hahahaha...only india.
I can believe Mr. Musharraf assertion that "Mullah Omar is not in Pakistan" just I had believed his assertion that "Osama is not in Pakistan". Fool me once, Shame on you. Fool me twice, Shame on me
@WoW: He has participated in speaking events and interviews etc in China, Singapore, Sweden, Malaysia, UAE, India, Nigeria etc . So its not only UK and USA. Get your facts straight before commenting.
@Nadeem: And he was not. What make you believe it was OBL in Abbotabad? You dont find it credible OBL was killed years ago maybe already in 2001?
As Osama Bin Laden has never lived in Pakistan too ... lol
@Kulamarva Balakrishna:
The US Seal took the most wanted person in the world and shot him on the head although there are comfirmed news he was unarmed. If US is so proud on their capture than why kill him and bury him within 48 hours. I am not saying about conspricacy theory here. But these are just the facts.
Secondly before commenting on extremism in Pakistan deal with Siv Sena first. Good day
@zalim singh:
Yeah right check out the Documentry made by RTL GERMANY on financial situation in Pakistan in the year 2002 till 2007.
Bogus are you talking here.
He might not be the best leader but please check your facts before quoting.
@Aryabhat:
In kargil didnt take the bodies????? Dude which Indian Times quoted that. Come out of the dark please.
For some of you here be it known that that he is a member of the elite group of highest paid speakers in the world. Leading tv channels interview him. He speaks for reputable institutions, think tanks, universities etc. Be assured CNN or BBC will not call any of you to give opinions! For that matter not any of our present "leaders".
Does Musharraf live or has lived in the real world, or has he just been Machiavellian all his life?
No doubt he must know as to MO's whereabouts, just like he knew OBL's location too!!! Time he goes into retirement !!!
And Santa brings him nice presents for being such a nice boy.
Vienna,November 9,2011 Day & night vision goggles are needed to find Mullah Omer. Pakistan lacks them.But google can look and pin point the location. Of late U.S.Navy SEALS have acquired specials eyes in the sky that look into the heart of earth.General Musharraf,just wait until the one eyed Mullah is picked up with the special operation command backing by the SEALS led by the SEAL dog.Await the miracle. Taravadu Taranga Trust for Media Monitoring TTTMM India --Kulamarva Balakrishna
Got it, he is giving the hint that the one eyed man is very much in Pakistan.
I watched the interview and this is grossly taken out of context, besides how does 'he has no reason to be in Pakistan' becomes 'he has never been in Pakistan'
I Listed too his interview, seems like he is coming to pakistan in march next year
like usama never was????
This guy has zero credibility.
He is making Mullah Umar and his emerging representative happy, because there is a great chance when Musharaf returns home, he would need their permission to land at Pakistani airport.
I have very doubts about the statement given by General Pervez Musharraf that Mullah Omar has never been to Pakistan.
Musharraf during his illegitimate regime has given such statements about Osama Bin Laden that he was not in Pakistan.
At several occasions, Musharraf also briefed the local and international media that OBL is hiding in Afghanistan. At one point Musharraf said that OBL is in Tura Bura. Some times Musharraf also referred the case of OBL that he is hiding behind the mountains of Afghanistan.
All statements of General Pervez Musharraf become zero when an exclusive operation was conducted by the US Navy Seals and shot OBL in Abbottabad where he was living with his several wifes and children.
This was the reality that OBL was finally found in Pakistan. How can Musharraf says that Mulla Omar was never been to Pakistan?
One never knows that Mullah Omar may be hiding and enjoying his life some where in Pakistan like OBL did.
Here we go again !! Don't know if these guys even realize what this is doing to the credibility of Pakistan. All we now have to do is wait till a drone gets him deep inside Pakistan.
has never been in Pakistan or he is not in Pakistan right now?
"Osama bin Laden is not in Pakistan" - quote from Musharraf. 2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010, and April 2011
This is same man who said there were NO Pakistani troops in Kargil and refused to accept even dead bodies of his own troops!
Interesting to find out how does Musharaf know where Mulla Omar is not? That is beacuse he knows where Mulla Omar is? :-)