US denies reports of Musharraf contacting Clinton

Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf said he may delay his planned return home later this month, blaming the country's current instability. PHOTO: REUTERS / FILE

WASHINGTON DC: US State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland on Friday denied reports that former president Pervez Musharraf had requested a meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Speaking to reporters, Nuland said that to her knowledge, Secretary Clinton has not received any such request from the former president.

When asked for the US government’s view on Musharraf’s return and the possible threats to his life, Nuland said: “Our view is that this complex of issues is an internal matter for Pakistan.”

Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf said on Thursday he may delay his planned return home later this month, blaming the country’s current instability.

Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup and has been living in Dubai for almost three years, said he was awaiting recommendations from members of his All Pakistan Muslim League party back home.

“Once those recommendations come, I’m going to examine them and then make a decision whether I should return or delay my return,” Musharraf said during a visit to London.

Musharraf addressed a rally via video in Karachi last week to announce his plan to return between January 27 and January 30 and take part in parliamentary elections due by 2013.

“There is a serious political and administrative crisis brewing up in Pakistan. It has certain implications as far as my return to Pakistan is concerned,” Musharraf told a news conference.

Musharraf resigned and left the country after his allies lost a parliamentary election in 2008 and the new coalition government threatened him with impeachment. His popularity had plummeted after he became embroiled in a row with the judiciary and briefly imposed a state of emergency in 2007.