US using Pakistan as a scapegoat for failure in Afghanistan: Musharraf
In an exclusive video link interview with Express 24/7, the former President said Pakistani forces should use whatever influence they have and tell the Haqqanis not to cross the border.
Terming the recent statements by former Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman, Admiral Mike Mullens that Pakistan's ISI was supporting the Haqqani network as irresponsible, Musharraf said that the blame game needs to stop and that Pakistan and the US need to come onto the same page against a common enemy. He said that the world needs to understand the standpoint of Pakistan, and unless the US stops violating Pakistani interests, there would be no more alliance.
(Read: ‘Strategic assets’: ISI must disengage from proxies: Mullen)
Musharraf, while criticising the All Parties Conference for not inviting him, said that these terms, with no call to action, could all have been agreed within 30 minutes and did not need 10 hours. Musharraf insisted though that the future lay in talking to the peace seeking Taliban.
(Read: Full text of the APC resolution)
He said pointed out that while not all Pashtun were Taliban, all Taliban were Pashtun. Musharrraf said that we need to identify the peace seeking Taliban and hold reconciliatory talks with them. Unfortunately, Musharraf says, this selective process had been dubbed by the US as a sort of double game.
Musharraf also said that the US was responsible for controlling Haqqani activity on the Afghan side of the border. However, he pointed out that India was being accorded space in the Afghan peace process at the cost of Pakistan. “Any result of a peace process in favour of India would not be acceptable to Pakistan and the US must understand this.”
He said that Pakistan must use all media sources, internal and external to media to project Pakistan’s interests and reasoning in Afghanistan.
Musharraf also reminded the US that it was the Pakistan army which had conducted a successful operation in Swat against the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.
Drone strikes
The APML chief categorically rejected allegations that he, in a deal with the then Bush government had allowed drone strikes in Pakistan saying that only logistical support for unarmed drones had been extended. He went on to mock the current government saying “if there was an agreement between me and the US, ok if there was, but why has the new government gone ahead and broken this agreement?”
He went on to say that during his time in office there had been a total of nine drone strikes while these had exponentially increased during the term of the current government.
Hampered peace
Musharraf said that Pakistan’s greatest desire in a stable and peaceful Afghanistan. For this reason Pakistan was supporting Burhanuddin Rabbani led peace talks.
“Paksitan will be the loser if there is no peace and stability in Afghanistan,” he said.
However, with the US stated desire to leave Afghanistan, it was like history was repeating itself and this the US should not allow to happen.
Musharraf was of the opinion that Pakistan and Afghanistan needs to talk to all those factions of Taliban that seek peace.
COMMENTS (52)
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To those who think that we should have gone out on WAR with US after 9/11. For your knowledge and thought the very American F-16 that we have bought from our enemy America does not have the capability to confront another American F-16. Its missiles dont fire when it confronts another F-16 guys. Its programmed like that..N for those who think that JF-17 Chinese make would be capable enough to confront the F-16, FYI it cant. It cant swirl a complete 180 degree upwards... We are not afraid for God's Sake but we cant actually afford a fight with US. We have to prepare our Horses first as Allah says, remember guys.
I am honestly shocked and disgusted to see the short sightedness, ignorance and intelligence level of people commenting on the issue. Mr. Musharraf was indeed the only pakistan leader with an exceptionally inteligent mind and un-corrupted character. Perhaps the only leader from this country who actually earned himself personal respect and friendships all around the world. Its such a pity that the people of his own country were unable to recognise his strengths and that is one of the reasons why they continue to be fooled, deceived and robbed by the present thiefs and idiots in government and opposition. I think before these people point a finger to such leaders they must look into their own personal and national character and ask themselves if they actually has ever done any good for their country. I live in Canada and interact with various nationalities including indians since last 10 years and whenever a foreigner discusses pakistan he expresses regrets that our countrymen could not differentiate between a good and bad leader, between a corrupt and clean leader and between an intelligent head and a leader with a coconut attached to his shoulders. God does not help those communities who do not help themselves. Al-Quran
God bless
Why do people think that Musharraf is responsible for this? Do you people even know what would have happened if Pakistan had refused to cooperate with the US? The US had complete international support (including China's) and anybody who thinks Pakistan should have "stood up" is out of his mind.
At least Musharraf had the brains to bring in a guy who, regardless of any corruption, kept the economy afloat regardless of the war instead of appointing his best friends to important government positions. And we have a free media because of him. And screw Pakistan's democracy. Pakistan's democracy is banana democracy.
Bravo to you for your patriotism, per gungro tho thu pehna ke gaya na!, you did everything possible to keep yourself in power, if you would have curtailed it in 2003 in Waziristan this fire wouldn't have engulfed the whole nation now. And yet we hear the claims of patriotism from you, presenting as the sole saver of this country, the very same country whom you throw into a quagmire of vicious problems
@Maulana Diesel: Have you ever been to Kabul? - the Afgani's hate Pakistanis far more then they hate Americans (if you dont trust me walk into any market there and declare your a pakistani and lets see how long you remain standing ). The fact is Mr Zia should have known wgat would be the fate of pakistan when he put pakistani boots on their soil. Our outdated policy of strategic depth and our wishes to control terrorist organisations must end NOW.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui:
you are clearly a sick and affected individual. there are many madrassas that would accept you very gladly..
I will add to Musharraf's thought provocative statement that "USA along with GEO and Sharif brothers are in league with India", because all of them have the same agenda to weaken PAK ARMY. They know that fall of PAK ARMY means fall of Pakistan. Musharraf we really miss you. You are the best leader that we ever had.
Whether Musharraf is in power or out of power he cares for Pakistan. He always speaks truth unlike our rotten heavy weight politicians. Great General we wait for you and we will support you whenever you land in Pakistan.
@ Ishrat Salim:
I am a patriot Pakistani like any other Pakistani and live in Pakistan.
I am sure you must have watched the old movies of film stars Late Waheed Murad and Late Mohammad Ali. Both of them have met with their Creator after performing in uncounted films. They remained on the screens for a long time, but did not damage the country like General Zia-ul-Haq and General Musharraf.
General Zia-ul-Haq hanged Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and has already met with the Creator. Sooner or later, General Musharraf is also going to meet with his Creator.
It is not true that general’s who take over the government in Pakistan by dismissing the elected governments are angels. Neither General Zia-ul-Haq was an angle, nor is General Musharraf an angle.
The parliament has removed the name of Zia-ul-Haq from the list of the Presidents. Similarly, the parliament should also remove the name of General Musharraf from the list of President of Pakistan.
What Pakistan need now keeping in view of internal and external threats is to look for a new talent. We do not need a selfish leader. What we need is a selfless leader and there are many people who are ready to work for Pakistan, to put the country on the right track.
We must hunt for the new talent to put them to lead the country.
I know that General Musharraf once again want to be the head of the state, but he won’t get it again. This is his wishful thinking and nothing more.
Look what President Zardari has done with this country. He came in the name of democracy but he also failed to deliver.
We must get rig of such so called politicians or the military generals who have cheated the nation time and again for their own sake.
General Musharraf came in the presidency from the back door after saluting the then President Rafiq Tarar. Even after announcing APML and participating in the general elections scheduled to be held in 2013-14, General Musharraf would not be able to go inside the presidency, even from the front door.
General Musharraf is nothing more than relic of the past.
Truest Leader Pakistan has ever had after Muhahhamd Ali Jinnah .... Salute your Patriotism Gen. Musharraf. No matter what other people (Blinded in hating you) think, you are the truest hope for Sane Pakistanis.
Who is talking? The General who has been responsible for current Pakistani situation? Situation has gone worsen after his government. Current government is at least democratic by name.
We welcome you for your patriotic statements and respect you for your kindness however flashes of your government again flickers in my eyes. Thanks. We are better.
Great leader.. he is the only one with an international standing today.. We await Musharraf and good times for Pakistan..
Quite glad he wasnt invited to the All Parties Conference....we are where we are because of him...=scapegoats
@Maxwell: same stands rue for US
Dear Gen. Musharraf,
Please put your efforts with full force in the coming election, don't worry about the results. We hope inshaAllah that you will be victorious, even not you will be able to make a difference in Pakistani politicians.
Even if you fail, God forbid, at least your supporters will be happy at least we have tried. Nation hold its fate in its own hands, they will decide in the coming elections.
Wish you all the Best & health, safety & success.
We are collectively moving towards a dark tunnel from where a super train with full lights "On" is heading towards us. Is it not Pakistan versus the whole world.
@Zafar Khan: I agree with your comments but I would go a bit further and state that these assets pose a big danger to the peace in the whole region. Though presently, they pose no threat to India but incase Pakistan is unable to contain or control both Talebans along with other assets which is a likely scenario, India may be forced to step into the arena to take control of the anarchy in its neighborhood and beyond.
@Maxwell: already redefined, didn't you hear the word 'all weather friendship' ??
Dear General Pervez Musharraf,
In the past you were a DICTATOR. Presently, you are a FUGITIVE. In future you claim to be a SAVIOUR (masyHA)??
Your ambitious DREAM is indeed exponential!!
Although he is out of power game but his words are far heavy weight than punctured politicians.
Dear General, You sold Aafia to US calling her a terrorist. You sold countless number of OUR Brothers to USA. Where did you get so much money that you can lead a peaefull life in UK? Where did you get so much money to build palatial homes in pakistan? You got the money from selling our blood, our children, our airbases to USA. Now you want to comeback and hope to become President and rule pakistan which will never happen.
I 100% agree with Musharraf. He is so analytical and patriotic. We love you Sir.
Retired generals are very law abiding and patriotic.
I fail to understand how the politicians and media in Pakistan are foolishly calling US war on terror a failure - in order to make such a judgment always see if the war objectives are achieved? Do not judge it by the military losses incurred in the way? while the war is not over, I repeat these objectives here and leave upto readers to decide whether or not US has been a failure in Afghanistan? the five US objectives of war on terror are 1) Defeat terrorists such as Osama bin Laden, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and destroy their organizations 2) Identify, locate and destroy terrorists along with their organizations 3) Deny sponsorship, support and sanctuary to terrorists 4) Diminish the underlying conditions that terrorists seek to exploit 5) Defend US citizens and interests at home and abroad.
If People like Musharraf are considered friends of Pakistan, then the definition of a "friend" should be redefined without delay...
Pakistan is out of Afghanistan for good. Now the strategic assets will be used only within pakistan. Congratulations
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: Understand your sentiment and anger. But pls think before you Comment! Even if a civilian government was there they would have been forced to join otherwise we could have been in a state of war with US. Of course, we are not afraid ofbthe cowboys, but Pak is not strong economically and with own indigenious produced military hardware to match US and Nato. The support was done under pressure to a weak party, so our general did thr absolute right thing and in fact steared the handling quite well. A corrupt civilian government would have been much weaker and we would have seen ourselves been misused much more. Kudos to our general that he despite everything put Pak first and played the game without never compromising on our natipnal interest. Inshallah Pak will in the future never be pressurised again. Pak zindabad forever.
All the "used" politicians have a habit of scolding America with the worn out trick, finding it a golden chance to gain public sympathy and to make some room in the politics again.They cant fool the nation now.There is a proverb, "when an elephant is in trouble even a frog will kick him".The nation is far aware than it had been in your regime.You had the opportunity when you were the powerful president of Pakistan to yank out the barbaric and rotten feudal system from the soil of Pakistan , that could have been a revolutionary thing for Pakistan but you did nothing.What was the hindrance on your way?.Now you are giving us tip off about America to whom once you had been loyal more than anything.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: You are 100% right. Great & very true comments
“Any result of a peace process in favour of India would not be acceptable to Pakistan and the US must understand this.” I hope u remember it is Afghanistan we are talking about and a peace process must be in favor of Afghanistan not India or Pakistan
love him or hate him.. the man has a personality and is a class act!
Musharraf, together with Ziaul Haq is responsible for Pakistan's present predicament. He has more blood of Pakistani soldiers on his hand than any other military dictator.Because of his misadventure in Kargil several housand troops were killed and buried in villages unsung. He imposed one-man rule and tried to reshape Pak politics but keeping two popular leaders, BB and Nawaz Sharif out of the country. Instead he raised his own party PML-Q and promoted religious alliance MMA to let them fill political vacuum in NWFP and Balochistan. By suppressing political forces he let loose religious fanatics in the country. The 9/11 was a blessing for him which ended his pariah status in the world and earned legitimacy from US and its allies. on one call he facilitated US invasion of Afghanistanwithout consulting anybody. Then in response to US call he sent 80,000 Pak troops to Waziristan for military operation for the first time in country's history. Bombing tribal villages turned tribal Pathans into terrorists who challenged the writ of the state and brought terrorism inside Pakistani cities and homes. More than 6,500 Pak soldiers have died in the operation besides 30,000 civilians. Thousands have been wounded and tens of thousands displaced from their homes. He also masterminded May 12 bloodbath in Karachi with the help of his security goons and MQM, the 18th October 2007 massacre on BB's arrival , July 17 blast in Islamabad's courts on arrival of CJ.Iftikhar Chaudhry and above all on December 27 at Liaqatabad when he left BB unprotected and unguarded by withdrawing even policemen. Afzal Khan .
Look who is talking. It was Gen.(R) Parvez Musharraf who bent down before American post 9/11.He is the one who pushed Pakistan to the brink of disgrace and distruction. Because of his selfish and incompetent policies Pakistan is being blamed wrongly as a state who supports terrorism. Infact Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism. More than 40,000 people have been martyred in Pakistan. It was dictator Musharraf who wanted to prolong his illegitimate regime and to do so his obeyed all the wrong demands of USA.
It is very easy to make statements against political government.To hold APC was an excellent step. This meeting of all political parties and establishment showed the unity of the people of Pakistan. America is entirely responsible for organising all the jihadi groups against Russia and they were praising their courage to fight against communism and now they are calling them terrorist. Pakistan will be better off without American support.
President Mushy, you betrayed the nation when you tried to save your own skin by pardoning those who you had ousted in the first place. You undid all the good you did, and showed yourself to be no better than anyone else.
Well, after everyone man and his dog knows this fact, Musharraf finally plucks up the courage to say what Pakistanis wanted him to say 5 years ago.
We need him back in power. He is experienced and well respected in world community. The other leaders once again have failed and we cannot take chance with new leaders.
Look who is talking! General Musharraf you have no right to speak for Pakistan because you are fully responsible for the mess we are in now. If you care that much for my country what is holding you to come back or at least even if you do not want to come back return the wealth you have stolen from here.
Who make the PAKISTAN scapegoat?are you not the one?
Musharraf I admire you a lot..you are a true patriotic and passionate person towards your country..but you made just to many mistakes to be called a great leader when you were in power, other wise there would have not been any leader except you for more 10 years in Pakistan.you made wrong choise but doing NRO with PPP...Lal masjid is one point where no one will say that you have done correct..there could have been so many ways to solve that issue instead of attacking a Masjid..then chief justice issue which was eventually hijacked by chotay mian and baday miann..they saw the opportunity and they seized it..I think you were over confident when in power and that led to you downfall..But I agree on one point that who ever would have been running Pakistan at the time of 9/11 he would have made the same choice of going with America..shareef...PPP..or who ever else..they had to make the decision what you have done at that time..people who argue that just simply dont understand the world scenario after 9/11 and its implication..
Here he goes again. My last question to you was how much GOI paid you for your book tours and other seminars hosted by GOI.
why is a former dictator kicked out by the people constantly on the front pages??? Pakistanis want to be like Arabs - but can't they take lessons from the Egyptian and Libyans?
America doesn't need a scapegoat -- it's a all volunteer army - there are no protest in the streets - the front page of the paper's rarefy mention Afghanistan and no politician has staked a career on Afghanistan. Further - the people who use the scapegoat line never explain why the criticisms that the American's make are the same criticism that the rest of the International Community are making.
//The APML chief categorically rejected allegations that he, in a deal with the then Bush government had allowed drone strikes in Pakistan//
and then he has the audacity to mock the current govt.
We welcome your stance gen. musharraf. We are glad to see that your patriotism for the motherland has only increased by your stay away from motherland in the inhospitable city of london,uk! Thank you for joining rest of the usual suspects the khakis, the politicians in beating the "ghairat" donkey.