Army being targeted to weaken Pakistan: Musharraf
In an interview to the BBC in Dubai, Musharraf said that currently, it appeared as if “army officials were being targeted” and that conspiracies were being hatched to do so.
He said that the army plays a central role in Pakistan and in order to weaken the country, some elements were trying to weaken the army.
‘Had directed ISI to disband political cells’
Musharraf said that as the chief of army staff back then, he had directed the Inter-Services Intelligence to disband political cells and to stay away from matters of politics.
He said, “I had directed the then chief of ISI General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani that the institution he was heading – the ISI – should not intervene in politics. However, I did not issue him written directives in this regard.”
The former president said that he did not say this as a formal order, but both him and Kayani had thought that the ISI should not intervene in political matters.
“This is the reason why there was no rigging done in 2008 elections and neither any such complaint had surfaced,” said Musharraf.
‘Reopening old cases is in no one’s favour’
Speaking on the Asghar Khan case, Musharraf said that it was only a distraction and was causing a conflict between state institutions. “Any tension between institutions is dangerous for Pakistan.”
He said, “We are getting ourselves into trouble by holding on to issues from the past and that the reopening of a 15-year-old case was in no one’s favour.” Musharraf said that “if you want to go back, then why not question the separation of East Pakistan, assassinations of Ayub Khan and Liaquat Ali Khan?”
Musharraf said that “We should keep our focus on the present and the future.”
COMMENTS (63)
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it is the "Security State mind set" which weaken Pakistan general sb
Army is the main cause of Pakistan failure .When you join army you are meant to defend borders.But our Pak Army wants to be power player.They topple elected goverment. missing people Baluchitan Drones are some of the mass made by them...
@Proud To Be A Bloody Civlian: US generals are being investigated against their personal conduct and doing something against their discipline and professional conduct. Pakistani Army as a whole being criticized and this is not a good thing to do for your country.
When Benazir , Zaradri & Nawaz went into Exile did they do any jobs to earn a living ? Does Altaf work anywhere for any bank , office or university ?///
Musharraf is the only One who does not have bap ki Jagir here & does not take bhatta to support himself abroad , he is educated & he is a teacher by profession earning himself there , does not this say enuf for all of us to know that he is educated & self made man . NO criminal records the govt now is just imposing all kinds to stuff so that he may not come back & they may keep sucking out the life left in this Country . Zaardi goes his son will come . Nawaz & his borther Imran khan ( has lost our confidence already ) Altaf ( Forget it )
Musharaf remains the first Military President of a country, who was threatened in his residence by a no body assistant to C Powell, and the guy caved in! Do the Pakistan citizens recollect the threat Musharaf was given?
Rex Minor
Musharraf-- the most able and best leader Pakistan ever produced.Musharraf zindabad
@QQ: @Much Amused: I think ET has quoted Musharraf. Its not ET's report. If this is correct then Musharraf should do his research.... and you keep your eyes and mind concentrated on what you are reading. Full time and attention PLZ.
@AJ Khan
"This tunnel visioned person should understand that if we didn’t had our disciplined Armed Forces, Pakistan would have been over run like afghanistan and iraq"
No need to overrun a country when it can be done on the cheap. America paid off the disciplined armed forces to look the other way and the cases of Raymond Davis and OBL are two fine examples of this discipline, not to mention their disciplined behavior when they are routinely decapitated by their own strategic assets.
Only a scarecrow of Red -Star like Musarraf can save the crop of right thinking people in Pskistan and army will protect them from vultures sitting on the loudspeakers of different mosques . Mussaraf knows the tact to deal with them even in exile .
@slider:
PTI is responsible for this mess..your savior IK is on record of saying he too would have been willing to help BB on her cases if she boycotted elections back in 2008. research yourself if you wish. IK is a fool, a taliban apologist, and pakistanis are seeing him for his true colors.
@S K Afridi:
that is a lie, a blatant lie and complete disregard for the facts. the NRO only provided for a clean slate to politicians who had cases that were instituted against them that had not been resolved. any convicted criminal in court was still and should still be liable to serve his term. that is up to our courts, who are more corrupt than our politicians. dont blame musharraf for that. NS and BB both admitted they instituted fake cases against each other some time back. you can research this. secondly he has admitted that doing the NRO was a mistake. our politicians make mistakes, he cant? we punish one man for the rest of his lfie because of one decision. nonsense. and finally, the electorate of pakistan voted for the PPP. if the NRO was so bad, they should have voted JI or PTI or someone else. they voted the PPP into power. is that also musharrafs fault?
@asim:
uhhh ECP.
Musharraf was much mauch better leader than the present political mafia. exactly!
@Fed up Pakistani: Mr Musharraf we Miss you , Please COME BACK soon.
wait for Imran Khan government. you will miss Zardari too.
The very foundation of Pakistan is based on wrong wrong and wrong . Well said that it is an appropriate time to look present and future for the stability and survival of Pakistan . Musarraf is a symbol of modern Pakistan as he dug the grave of past pakistan at Kargil by allowing the last attemp to grab Kashmir to the terrorists . Now he has magic to revive the economy of pakistan with the "ATAL DEAL"
Musharraf, you proved that you can turn things around. Pakistan was progressing during your time and people respected rule of the law. Unfortunately, the people of Pakistan do not differentiate the good from the bad, and now paying it ten times. Musharraf, history will write you time as one of the greatest period of development and peaceful time.
It looks like someone has agenda to weaken Pakistan by attacking Pak army. Most of us agree that Musharraf was much mauch better leader than the present political mafia.
Yes, General Musharraf - please come back. Pakistani institutions need your motormouth to save them and protect the country.
@Proud To Be A Bloody Civlian: You won the day.
Musharraf is the best leader Pakistan ever had. Love you Musharraf. We enjoyed your time.
Serving and retired Army men should not head any public government owned organasation. Such persons presently holding offices should enmass resign. WILL THEY?
Mr. Musharaaaaaaaaaaaf Plz come back as gave us the new vision of liberal Islamic Democracy. we need you and plz forget your all dictating views at Scotland. come back to your motherland
A Pakistani Citizen
either save your country or your army, I think its time save country as army is not capable to do so (Pakistani Army Zinaabad - Pakistan Awam Murdabad)
Does the army exist to serve Pakistan or does Pakistan exist to serve the army?
Musharraf is really a brave man, Good President for all should be like him, I wish him very best of luck for coming election, His Party and PTI should join together to make a very strong Pakistan. Imran khan is also a very Intelligent and honest politician. I hope Youth play a very important role to strengthen Pakistan by choosing great and sincere leaders like Imran and Musharraf.
The runaway (bhagorra) general desperately wants to get sympathies of the Army.
There is a man who has directed his personal vendatta against the institution of the Armed Forces of Pakistan. Knowing that he was hurt by the previous head of the army, he is now being exploited by vested interests. His tunnel vision is landing the country into problems. This tunnel visioned person should understand that if we didn't had our disciplined Armed Forces, Pakistan would have been over run like afghanistan and iraq.
@S K Afridi: "Seems to be a slip of tongue."
Slimy eels are slippery !
This same man also said: "Today we are the poorest, the most illiterate, the most backward, the most unhealthy, the most un-enlightened, the most deprived, and the weakest of all the human race" Has he got any ethics?
@Human: Exactly my point-none of them have anything to show for credentials and do not deserve to lead a state. IK on the other hand has a full life AND ACHIEVEMENTS TO SHOW FOR CREDENTIALS. These achievements have been accomplished infront of the open world and fairly-despite all the opposition form the Pakistani system. I rest my case
Try this one, try that one, try some, spare some like Ursalan Ifthikar Chaudhry. This is the pathetic state we're in.
@ Human! we don't need martial law, but you certinaly need some serious @$$ whipping
Well we don't miss you at all...Buzdil general.
@Human:
His list of mistakes is bit longer than you are saying, perhaps you are not willing to admit that he did anything wrong. He made a small mistake, just traded Pakistani lives for dollars!!!! Technically, he became a criminal on the day he imposed martial law.
we need martial law
@Zaffar:
What Credentials does Zardari ,Nawaz have & Had ? Musharraf was the ONLY one with no criminal record no Jail record , His 8 years of leadership said & did alot for us at least as Pakistanis we had Respect abroad . what respect do we have now ?
Is the law & order situation any better ? What has the present President been doing ? Is'nt he enjoying ? Musharraf just made ONE mistake that's all what about the Mistakes of Criminals ruling us at the moment .he is human don t forget that . Last but not the least we had Peace in every aspect during his leadership
"Army being targeted to weaken Pakistan: Musharraf" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ What else would you expect an ex Dictator to say?
‘Reopening old cases is in no one’s favour’ definetely wont be good for Musharraf atleast.
cant understand the fact that they live abroad and talk about Pakistan, as if they care much.
'Keep our focus on the present and the future'
Yeah, nice way to try and protect yourself Mushy. i personally love the fact that our generals, both past and present are shi*ting themselves as those that did wrong are being exposed. This is the way it should be.
Mushy you are old news...lets look at the present and the future my friend! PTI Zindabad!
Enough of your wisdom and political statements-U R NOT A Politician, UR A " Commando". U Have tried resolving ALL past issues with the commando frame of mind resulting in the current state of Pakistan after 10 years of governance. No one wanst to hear from you yest u keep harping on-What credentials have you got to run a state?? Jailing Judiciary is certainly not a good sign (apart from smoking cigars, handling Glock pistols and enjoying the President's house)
Today Pakistan is in a deplorable state only because of Musharaf. His NRO paved the way for the corrupt to sneak into the corridors of power.
You're right Mr. Musharraf. I demand giving the Army a 10% increase in budget, more plots and a brand new fancy golf course so they will be strong again.
@Uza Syed Seems to be a slip of tongue.Most probably he wanted say, "Zia ul Haque.
Did army made those fake votes? or if army is responsible for checking the voter lists? What will EC will do if army is responsible for fake votes and these fake votes have quite a long history.
If the American Generals can be asked to resign or face dishonour dismissal, and if Field Marshal Rommel coud take the pill to save family honour, why not put on trial Musharaf after first demoting him dow to the level of a major and treat many others retired or in service be given similar treatments for irregularities they commited.
Rex Minor
@Fed up Pakistani: I am a Pakistani+fed up, but I DON'T miss him!!!
Assassination of Ayub khan..ET do some research
Ethics are followed NOWHERE in this country and Army is no different. No institution should be treated above law in case of wrongdoings.
‘Reopening old cases is in no one’s favour' Somebody has to take the FIRST step otherwise we will never have any precedent
fact is that in pakistan, army will always be more special than other. Certainly if Army is weakened, pakistan will implode at a pace that will stun the world. However, the Establishment is to blame for the most dangerous policy of using terrorists as an intruement of state policy. No other country can even imagine this policy, and are so horribly shocked, and so are isolating pak . that policy m,ust be shunned with immidfiate effect. Otherwise pak has no salvation.
Ayub khan was assassinated??? i dont think so ET please do some research before publishing any news
dear Musharraf come back and take Pakistan in your hands other we might loose it.
assassination of Ayub Khan ????
Indeed, NLC scam, Royal Golf Palm scam, Malik Riaz DHA partnership, General Baig and Durrani, all were in the interest of the country. Protecting them is obligation of every Pakistani because otherwise the Army is being defamed! Perhaps these people could first consider their actions indulging in corrupt practices and breaking the law, if they are so concerned about the Army's image.
ET get your facts right. Ayub Khan died a natural death, not assassinated as you report.
so he is confirming that the 2002 elections were rigged........
It has been revealed that 37million votes were fake out of 80 million in 2008 elections.? Who is responsible for this?
I'm ignorant, I confess ----- "assassinations of Ayub Khan" ?! Can anyone throw some light on this one, please?
Real soldier Doesn't need any Gun or border to defend or fight for country and Pervez Musharraf is one of them
Mr Musharraf we Miss you , Please COME BACK soon.