Some elements in govt associated with extremists: Musharraf

Former president says National Action Plan against terrorism is not being implemented with the purest of intentions


News Desk December 09, 2015
PHOTO: AFP

Former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf has said that some elements within the incumbent government are ideologically associated with extremists. “This is the reason the National Action Plan against terrorism is not being implemented with the purest of intentions,” he said in an interview to the BBC Urdu. “The government and the bureaucracy are not extending the help to the army that it deserves.”

The NAP was devised to fight terrorists after the Taliban methodically killed over 150 pupils and staff at Peshawar’s Army Public School on December 16 last year.

Never been photographed with Tashfeen Malik: Lal Masjid cleric

Defending his decision of the Lal Masjid operation, he said: “They are terrorists. They believe in terrorism. They deserved what I did to them. They are rising again. The government should take action without delay. Any lull will allow them to get stronger, which in turn would require a bigger operation.”

The former president said people seek the army’s help because they hope this powerful institution would be able to rescue them.

Regarding the high treason case for which he is on trial, the former president said: “These are politically motivated cases.”

Army chief approves execution of four terrorists

Musharraf, who now heads the All Pakistan Muslim League, said those fighting Indian rule in the disputed Kashmir state are not terrorists. “They should be called freedom fighters.”

He denied presence of Taliban militants in Kashmir. “We call them mujahideen. They have a vast support in Kashmir and Pakistan.”

Musharraf said that many organisations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad came into being “as a response to atrocities in Kashmir”.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th,  2015.

COMMENTS (8)

Hira Saeed | 9 years ago | Reply I wish we can get more sane voices like him who condemn and stand on killing Taliban irrespectively. They deserve no mercy!
KhalidS | 9 years ago | Reply Okay Einstein!
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ