He said this in an interview to The Telegraph on Wednesday.
He also said that the ties between US and Pakistan and on a downward spiral and suffer from “lack of trust and confidence with faults on both sides”.
“Pakistan has to really think, what will be the environment and fend for itself against all the exterior pressures, all the exterior manoeuvrings and political manoeuvrings against Pakistan.”
Musharraf said that Pakistan must keep its stance clear as to why they are not acting against the Haqqani network and “talk straight” about its national interest.
He also remarked that “the United States is in league with India and that Indians are allowed to do whatever they are doing in Afghanistan”.
“Are we some jungle people that you can do anything with? This is the feeling of the people of Pakistan, are we some animal that they are treating us like this? We are a sovereign country and we have our own human rights.”
Musharraf also disclosed that he had an “almost” openly hostile relationship with the President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai.
“As time passed I realised that president Hamid Karzai is playing more in the hands of Indians who were trying to create an anti-Pakistan Afghanistan. These were irritants that kept developing over the years and got converted into almost open hostility.”
Former president, who is currently in self-exile, spoke about his return to Pakistan.
“I am a person who believes if I try and if I’m failing, I will quit,” he added. “I have no qualms and no ego. I have governed Pakistan for nine years, very successfully and I have no further ambitions, personal ambitions, my ambition is Pakistan.”
Earlier, Musharraf had announced that he will return to Pakistan to contest the next elections.
COMMENTS (90)
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Only Karzai plays into the hands of the Indians . . . . .Afghans have nothing in common with the Indians. Historically, ethnically Afghans and Pakistanis are blood brother and sisters. and that cannot be overlooked . . . .there is no room for the Indians when it comes to unsavoury interference by the Indians.
@jawed sarwar - As long as other foreign spy networks keep infiltrating and causing mahem in Balochistan and other regions of Pakistan, no democracy in Pakistan will ever succeed. The moment Pakistan goes for a democratic government, other foreign spy network get emboldened and start their terrorist activities among different ethnic groups giving a false impression and thereby falsely framing Pakistan when infact these are activities of India and its brainwashed backers. So, you see why military and intellegence needs to be very strong for the survival of Pakistan and to keep a check on foreign spy infitrators bent upon destabalizing Pakistan. By the way Mush has made a very intelligent statement and wish the current democratic government had recognised that long time ago thereby preventing the mass slaughter of appx 35,000. innocent men,women and children of Pakistan. Ofcourse, all this is under India's guidance who has on the other hand totally exploited both Afghanistan and USA by using their resources for its own benefits. Only Pakistani military and Intelligence have an eagle's eye and sharp sense to see through this and thats why the military should be independent of civillian government's control.
Jawed Sarwar ; Very sane opinion and I appreciate that
@Kazmis: There is nothing common between Amreeka and Pakistan
Mushharraf is again playing doble game as his team did with USA. Now he has realized the guilt and talking about Pakistan's inetrest. ISI in Pakistan is above law and reach of the civilian government.and this has brought bad name to Pakistan. Break up of East Pakistan was due to bad policy of the Army and now in Baluchistan the same thing is being repeated. Pakistan can never progress untill and unless the powers of army is limited and role of ISI must be determined in the national assembly. Army must be under civilian control and its rolr should be limited to safe guarding the country against foreign agression.We have heard and read the involvement of ISI in kidnapping and killing of Salim Shehzad.There are numerous complain of kidnapping and killing against ISI in Baluchistan. Now there is still time that ISI must reconstruct itself and try not to play bad games.
Dan: You are wrong. It is not India which does not admit Pakistan belongs to S Asia. It is Pakistanis themselves who wants to disconnect from S Asia and connect to Arabia.
".....we have our own human rights...."
Your own human rights (different from the global human and human rights)?
I guess you are speaking the truth here if you consider the laws of Pakisitan
-Ahmedis, shias, Ismailies etc. are non-Muslims -You have to declare your religion on government forms -Non-Muslims are second class citizen as defined by the constitution -Women's witness have half the value of men's -Hadood laws- A raped woman must produce four pious Muslim men as witness to the act. -Blasphemy laws -Apostasy laws -Deny the right of self-determination to the Baloch. Use helicopter gunships and fighter jets to hit using "you won't know what hit you" protesting leaders such as Bugti. -Kill human rights activist such as Salman Taseer who dare to voice against injustice to minorities. But, shower roses on the extremist who killed Taseer. -Deny rights to rape victims such as Mukhtaran Mai and Shazia Khalid. Tell the world that they wanted to get raped to get US visa. -Create, support, arm and push terrorists to kill innocents in Afghanistan and India. -Systematically brainwash innocent children through bigoted text books, lies and falsification of history. -Use the spy agency to neutralize free thinkers and journalists such as Saleem Shahzad.
@xOYA: "It was Musharraf who saved ur from Indias invasion "
Excuse me? It was Musharraf who invaded India while the Pakistani PM and Indian PM had just signed a peace deal. He then pretended that the invaders were not Pak soldiers but Kashmri mujahideen. He refused to even take back the dead bodies of Pak solderis who sacrificed their lives - to give them a proper burial. Later when Pakistan was unable to defend itself from Indian retaliation, it was humiliated into accepting a unilateral ceasefire.
At no time did India invade Pakistan during Musharraf's regime - so the question of hism saving Pakistan from Indian invasion does not arise.
A for Abottabad B for boots on the ground C for China D for Drones
Now if USA is in league with India , as Musharraf alleges, so what is the great general going to do about it ?
Pak power: USA Abbotta-bathed India power: USA Bang-lored
Wake up guys. do something sensible so that your grand-children can count the stars and not the drones in the sky.
@dude: We are also responsible of hosting 3 million afghan refugees since last three decades. Afghans are always most unthankful people.
@an avid lover: Indians must rise above small things but they are still stick to their uneasy past. They consider Pakistan responsible for all their past woes and don’t even admit that Pakistan is part of south Asia not central Asia which created havoc here in the past. Just being Muslims we should not be considered responsible for all right or wrong doings of Afghans or Central Asians.
I agree 100% with Musharraf
@Dan:
one who rise over of small things and learn from the past, his future is bright. Let time and india's development story decide about india and indians and not a Pakistani who relinquished south asian culture to which they belong and never thought that one can practice Islam without bringing necessarily Arabic culture.
The very creation of Pakistan is based upon the assumption that Hindus and Muslims form two different nations and can not live peacefully together. Therefore there is an element of enmity in the hypothesis itself. I have heard even senior Pakistani politicians using term "Hindu" during TV debates in very poor sense. What message all that coveys to ordinary Hindu Indians? There was hue and cry in Pakistan recently when Mr Nawaz Sarif spoke of similar Indian and Pakistani culture. People like Orya Maqbool Jan think that Hindus had no culture and knowledge of any sort and it were the Muslims who taught everything to Indians. One can only feel sorry for such narrow and constrict thinking. There are people in Pakistan who genuinely want friendship with India. However, there is large segment which thinks otherwise. I am very doubtful of an all out friendship between India and Pakistan in our life time unless correct history of the region is taught to students. Pakistani TV hosts will do a great service to their nation if they invite some Indians also when people like Orya Maqbool Jan speak about India's past and about Hindu ethics.
Well done Gen Musharraf, when ever I see you still fighting like a veteran for Pakistan against whole world and strong anti Muslim groups like India,USA and Israel sympathy in our hearts increases for you.............. we see no one talking with so much braveness in the west leaving Imran Khan and you, Pakistan Zindabad
Mush......... We need you!!!
good
@Robin: Utopia, you are living in from the last 60 years. Just praise us that we are still "alive" enen having a 10 times bigger and hatefull enemy on our doorstep.
@Kazmis who says "There is nothing common between Indians and Afghans, how can they go along with friendship."
Funny...you have so much common between Sindhis/balochis/Punjabis/Mohajirs and yet you can't live as a country.
You have no unity in a single street, let alone the entire country.
On the contrary India and Afghanistan have three things in common - both want peace in South Asia, both want to exterminate the extremists and both want Afghanistan to develop.
We miss Musharraf era when Pakistan was developing, while acting against extremists
Musharraf is the only one who represents Pakistan and gives befitting response to India.
Although I do not admire him, however what he said hits the Bulleye. America wants India to be in the driving seat in Afghanistan after they leave and want Pakistan to be dismembered through manipulation of Baloch people through RAW the indian intellegence agency. US has already promised the Baloch Insurgents that they can have a independent state with the help of CIA & RAW and can look for country on lines with UAE or Saudi Arabia as they also have minerals of the kind. Pakistan must resist Indian influence on its westren borders.
Mr Mussharraf: " “I think US is in league with India..."
And if u were an american what different course of action would u take?
@J Oberoi: There is nothing common between Indians and Afghans, how can they go along with friendship. Yes India may exploit Afghan for their benefit which will instigate clash between the two and ultimately India will suffer unimaginable. Meanwhile Pushtu factor in Afghanistan and Pakistan will not keep Indians settled their. Indian has no potential to live like US in Vet Nam.
this guy is trying win paki brains @Erfan: no man, you are reversing the facts, and that never help you.
we love you Mr .Musharraf please caome back soon . we will vote for YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU & Only you
If all else fails, blame India The floods, the bombings The Haqinnis The sunshining harshly in summer Neighbour's daughter eloping with her much married boy friend...
india in league with america is not a recent phenomenon. didnt the gen realize this when he was hobnobbing with bush? mister, u failed n your failure is reflected by the present regime. thanks to your nro we have the likes of you know who presented to us on a golden platter. stop dreaming about returning. if pakistan was first for you then you would have been here. at least indian leaders dont seek exile abroad. God forbid if you return. by the way i av yet to see at least one of your famous lectures in print. if not whole then just an excerpt. i bet what u preach u dont practice so save us from the hot air. enough pollution here. and while living off america dont talk about sovereignty and freedom.
@fate who says "ROFLMAO!!!! USA turned out to be even biggest wimp as compared to india.Atleast indiad did mobilised its forces to border for 6 months but usa capitulated with in 48 hrs of pakistan issuing warning to massive retaliation in response to usa attack."
Pakistanis need to change the definition of bravery. 1971, Kargil, 1965 were not show of bravery by Pakistan.
Mumbai attacks, 9/11 were not acts of bravery.
Bravery is to show restraint. And by calling USA a wimp, you are showing your ignorance and I guess OSAMAabad is already forgotten!!!
What a turn around! The great patriot warrior who sold himself and his government on a phone call. The threat of being send back to stone age took the gas out of this general. A great pretender.
For 20 odd years that Pakistan had 'strategic depth' Afghanistan, what did Pakistan do to to make the life of ordinary afghans better? Instead they financed and supported a murderous bunch of extremists who took Afghanistan to middle ages.
Is it that surprising that many educated and intelligent afghans don't like Pakistan too much.?
While. India may have it's own selfish agenda, at least they have built schools, hospitals and roads that help ordinary afghans. They are trying to get influence by winning the goodwill of ordinary afghans not dominate them at gunpoint ! How many schools, hospitals did Pakistan build in the years they were effectively controlling afghanistan ?
If Pakistan wants to reduce Indian influence in afghanistan it should step out of military mindset and start thinking like businessmen and diplomats and stop whining about Indian influence all the time.
India just has to sit back with popcorn and a big soda and watch the fun. Pak is self destructing and by end of this decade it will be totally off the face of this planet
@A Pakistani: Yeah right. Americans will leave Afghanistan and come straight to Pak, if they are under attack from militants. Especially if the Republicans win in 2012 - they don't mind going into wars, if they feel it is needed (or not!).
Why does he always speaks out of context; btw he hasn't said a word yet why was his office closed down
\As time passed I realised that president Hamid Karzai is playing more in the hands of Indians who were trying to create an anti-Pakistan Afghanistan.
What an idiot:
Each country has to look after their own interest, if Afghanistan think India can help them out that's fair to them that doesn't mean it's Anti-Pakistan. Let's not confuse, Indian assistance = anti-Pakistan.
@Maulana Diesel: "By the way India if India doesnot consider Pakistan its rival then why having so many tanks. Are you going to fit aircraft engines in your tanks to cross Himallyas and fight Chinese"
India does not want to attack Pakistan. But it does want to defend itself from Pakistan since it has been attacked many times in the past.
When your enemies are hanging themselves, why interfere.
Musharraf contribution to Pakistan:
NRO Defeat in Kargil War. Drones Af-Pak - Occupation of Kargil. Handing over of Pakistan ki Bahu Dr. Aafia Siddique & several others Pakistani`s calling them terrorists. Laal Masjid Operation killing women & children.Let me know what else he contributed? & Am surprised how so many people are praising Musharraf.
Musharraf can talk big now but why does he forget that the problems we have now are due to his cowardly stance in 9 years of dictatorship? Yes the Indians and the Afghanis are responsible for causing terrorism and trouble in Pakistan- we all know that but why didn't you do anything while you were in power Mr. Musharraf?
India is trying to influence Afghanistan by sending gifts. Pakistan (understandably) does not like it, as Musharraf said, so she also tries to influence Afghanistan by (a) sending better gifts? (no), (b) sending goodwill and betterment for their fellow Muslims? (no), (c) sending militias to occupy the country with a proxy force? (yes). So sending agents of destruction is actually a LEGITIMATE counter influence against sending agents of growth. I doubt how many Afghans will buy it, but it looks lots of Pakistanis are buying this idea to be a fair enough deal with the Afghans.
@Assef: I dont believe you that you are an Afghani since all Afghanis I have met hate Pakistanis and put blame for all their woes on Pakistan but praise and love India for their efforts and support. They also hate Taleban and dont want them back to rule them again.
For God's sake, General Musharraf should not return to Pakistan as he has ruined Pakistan economically and politically during his rule .The present chaos in Baluchistan, Sindh, and proliferation of jihadists is his creation. He can stay away from Pakistan until Pakistan is peaceful. His love for India is well documented in President Bush's book as only thing Musharraf says is his hatred towards India. But India loves and trusts him as he was born in India and his relatives still live in India. Despite his involvement in the Kargil war, India had invited him to sign a peace treaty with Pakistan. As a mohajir from India, Musharraf wanted mohajirs should take over Sindh and he crushed Baluchistan self rule by killing their leader to unify Pakistan brutally. Like other mohajirs, General Zia-al Haq and Dr. Abdul Khan, Musharraf wanted to destroy India .Musharraf has missed the opportunity to establish peace and harmony in the Subcontinent in surrendering to terrorists groups including Haqqani network in line of fire.
@Abhishek: I wish it had been so. By the way India if India doesnot consider Pakistan its rival then why having so many tanks. Are you going to fit aircraft engines in your tanks to cross Himallyas and fight Chinese.
I love the part in which India is mentioned with the destruction of Pakistan. India has out beaten USA. It has sent its agents in Pak without any visa and yet the Army, ISI and the local police cannot locate them. Wonderful INDIA.
After being thrown out of office, Mr. Musharraf went to India many times. Does anyone know how much GOI paid into his account? If no, please ask him how much money he made in India. His silence will talk volume.
@J Oberoi: Afghans might want to be with Indians but its indian who never forget Ghaznavi and Ghuri.
@ Zahid Hamid, please get a reality check, Things and people cannot go back in time, It was the golden days for muslims and it's over. Stop living in a fantasy land.
recently met an Afgan refuge in Zurich and he told me that the country responsible for all the problems is 'Pakistan'
Pakistan always treats India as a threat which shows her fear and defeat.I think Pakistan should divert its mind from violence and wars towards education and development of the nation like India.
Problems of Pakistan will end when Pakistani Mullas stop calling non-muslims as Kaffirs. Pakistani text books should stop spreading hate. People like Zaid Hamid who talk of Ghazwa-e-Hind, should be shut. Till there are violent elements in Pakistan,and organisations like LeT are operating freely, nothing is going to change for good. Pakistnis should do the honest soul searching and set their house in order. Indians never have any problems with them.
@J Oberoi: I am an Afghan from Peshawar and we appreciate the role of India as far as construction and development are concerned. However, I still believe like many Afghans that while India is a good friend, our relationship with Pakistan will always be much more crucial and important. Pakistan is our neighborng country and we share much more in common with them. Afghanistan directly depends on Pakistan. Thus, while we welcome Indian support, that should not give a way to end Pakistan's contact with us. Our country has always been dependant on the economic functioning of our Pakistani brethren.
Regards, Assef Khan.
Musharraf is the best representative of Pakistan. Our politicians not, but our army do care for the strategic moves against Pakistan. Musharraf zinda bad - Pak army zinda bad.
@Zaid Hamid: Oops, the secret is out. BTW, How did you figure out that America, India and Israel are trying to destroy Madina-e-Sani? You must be a genius.
Pakistan has given refuge to 1.7 million Afghans since the Sovient War and return they are telling us they don't like us? America started the war with Russia with the help of Taliban fighters and they funded them. Pakistan was gifted with refuges, instability, poorness and we are still suffering. Just leave us alone please and mind your own business.
@Paras Vikmani: you mean the same way the indian government,establishment,media and army created a war hysteria of doing surgical strikes in Pakistan after mumbai blasts?
come on PAKISTAN show some moves; its time. wave that flag..., get ready for a head on!! 1947 was the year when we were born. We were never scared of anything then. We never had any nukes, fighters, tanks etc etc... whats the matter? reality is we have been double crossed by everyone. we need to stand up now or never. Face it with your iman. the iman is the real nuke. Allah will help us get out of this. But its going to be a long ride.
Well its clear now. Saying bad things about India makes an individual win elections in Pakistan.
Yet when it came to his book tour royalty he had no shame in tooting his horn in India and US.
Musharraf - absolutely correct. My vote is certainly for you.
Musharraf just wants his old job back. Best way to do - play India as the enemy.
Very well siad. This is the reason we love you and we need you.
Edwina Mountbatten is in league with Nehru.
@J Oberoi : If you believe the "PEOPLE" of Afghanistan would like to do "Business" with India rather then Pakistan..Think again..Yes we've had our differences with Afghanistan..Its just the PUPPET GOVERNMENT of Hamid Karzai which has allowed India to enter Afghanistan and continue Anti-Pakistan activities..And Hamid Karzai's government enjoy's the same amount of support from the Afghan people as your government in Occupied Kashmir.. Sonner or later America will leave..Let's see how much "Business" India can do in Afghanistan then..
@J Oberoi: iNDIAN hINDU IS A tERRORIST AND IT IS DECLARED WORLDWIDE. aFGHANS CAN NEVER lIKE A hINDU TERRORIST wHO SHED mUSLIM bLOOD iN KASHMIR AND wHO kILLED 100,,OOO KASHMIRIS IN THE LAS 20 YEARS. lET THE aFGHAN KNOW THE TRUE pICTURE AND THEN SEE HOW THEY COME AFTER DARK hINDU REARS. wHAT IN THE WORLD YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT? NO MUSLIM NATION WILL LIKE YOU IF THEY KNOW THE TRUE ATROCITIES OF YOUR HINDU STATE TERRORISM IN KASHMIR AND 30 EYARS OF TERRORISM IN SRI LANKA. LET THE AFGHAN TALIBAN TAKE CARE OF YOU AFTER NATO. WHY DID YOUR TERRORIST HINDU GOVT. RAN AWAY FROM AFGHANISTAN WHEN TALIBANS CAME INTO POWER? BECAUSE THEY WOULD FRY YOUR TERRORIST HINDU REAR.
@YeaRight:
we have no concerns for americans. we have concerns for ourselves. We believe in get our work done through america and by pakistan.
If America is in league with India, then why is Pakistan taking money from America and fighting its war.
i LIKE YOU MUCH N ILL VOTE U IN NEXT ELECTIONS BECOZ YOU ARE ONLY HOPE.....
So, India is so powerful that it can play USA and Afghanistan.
Good on you India.
By the way, these comments are coming from someone who bowed to the PRESSURE of a threat from USA, waged a war against India and lost his own and his country's face, came to power through a coup and tried and failed to browbeat the judiciary and is on the run for killing a really brave politician.
Always told so...America, India and Israel are trying to destroy Madina-e-Sani. Its is time for Caliphate. Great khair is coming.
Why is Mush not in APC in PM House? Or he is simply keeping himself politically alive on papers in the media? If he believes in democracy he should be close to the voters at home.
Pervez Musharraf is so very right about this. The world must respect Pakistan's sovereignty and integrity. After all, from the perspective of geo-strategic significance, Pakistan is the most important nation in South Asia after Afghanistan and Burma. Besides that, Pakistan is a front line state in the war against terror, tirelessly fighting against the forces of darkness and doom, e.g., Osama bin Laden and other Al Qaida operatives.
I do not agree with the ex-general on this remark. Under the able and magnanimous leadership of Shri Manmohan Singh, who was born in Pakistan before independence, India has been highly concerned about Pakistan's progress and stability. It is not possible he will allow any such collusion with American thinktank to plot against Pakistan, whose friendship and cooperation is ever so cherished by him and our government.
Even when General Musharraf had usurped dictatorial authority in Pakistan or expelled the Chief Justice or launched a military offensive in Kargil without informing the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, it must be admitted graciously that he did all these without a shred of ego or self-indulgence. I respect his selfless and dedicated service to his nation and his bravery in tackling difficult questions about Pakistan's crisis from the United Kingdom.
i like u mush. but m not gonna vote u in elections.
Are you for real? "Are we some jungle people" "Pakistan should stand for itself" "we have our own rights" Says the power hungry puppet who sold out on a phone call? You want us to take pressure like you did in November 2001? What nerve lecturing the current crop of leaders to hold their ground when he had the weakest knees of them all...Bravo Mr.Dictator
Gen. Musharraf, your country (Pakistan, not UK or UAE/Dubai) needs you, please come back right away!! Please show your patriotism and help pakistan.
10 years before, Musharraf bowed down to the US pressure... I think PM Gilani is far better than Musharraf, who hasn't said US would abandon aid on Pakistan despite the fact that Pakistan is economically more weaker than it was ten years before and suffering the worst natural disasters these days.
Why is he still hinding some where and making comments? trying to win some votes already?
I don't think Indians have to try very hard. The Afghans do not particularly like the Pakistanis. They would much rather do business with the Indians than the Pakistanis.
@Incoming Indian Trolls: Since you people obviously have such concern for the Americans, why dont you ask our government to send its troops to Afghanistan and join the fight.
very well said it.