Former president Pervez Musharraf gestures during the unveiling of his party manifesto for the forthcoming general election at his residence in Islamabad on April 15, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf, facing a barrage of legal cases over his time in power, said Monday he had done nothing wrong but was ready to go to jail if the courts ordered it.
The retired general, who returned to Pakistan last month to run for parliament in the May 11 general election, is accused over the killing of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and a rebel from the region of Balochistan.
Lawyers are also trying to have him put on trial for treason for subverting the constitution by imposing a state of emergency and sacking judges in 2007. A hearing in this case on Monday was adjourned to Wednesday.
At the launch of his All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) party's manifesto held amid tight security at his farmhouse near Islamabad, Musharraf said his conscience was clear.
"I have a conviction in my heart that I have not done anything wrong," he said.
"The only thing in my heart was to save Pakistan and now I am here I have the same commitment, that I will save Pakistan."
Asked what he would do if he lost the cases and was sentenced to prison, Musharraf told reporters: "If that is the decision, I am ready to go."
The 69-year-old, who has had death threats from the Taliban, is standing for parliament in a seat in the remote northern district of Chitral, close to the Afghan border.
Last week he told CNN that he had authorised some US drone missile strikes on Pakistani soil during his 1999-2008 rule but on Monday he said he was now "totally against" them.
The drone campaign is hugely unpopular in Pakistan, where officials repeatedly denounce the strikes as a violation of sovereignty that inflame anti-Americanism, despite leaked US diplomatic cables that showed leaders allegedly agreed to them in private.
Musharraf's power base has withered since he left office and the APML stands little chance of making serious gains in the election.
COMMENTS (48)
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Musharraf era was one of the GOLDEN ERA of Pakistan... Long live Musharraf! Don't be scared of these people sir, stay on the right path and victory will be all yours!!! =)
@Dr.A.K.Tewari: You are right Mr. Tiwari. He tried to mend the affairs. He was bold again and accepted all visible stakes. I wish him success.
He has won the election once again .
The gate of his entry is stiil open in different political parties in Pakistan and that gate can't be closed by any force even by Talibans .
Musarraf mood is very clear that Pskistan in present form is not acceptable to him . He is ready to give supreem sacrifice for the required change .
@Usman786:You are right Usman. Who is sincere to Pakistan here? The only war which Pakistan won over enemy was fought under Gen. Musharraf. Protecting Pakistan is becoming crime in Pakistan.
just see how he kept on defending Pakistan in foreign media. Can we expect these looters to do same? PPP continued his foreign policies and same goes for N league...just read wikipedia. The speak a difference script in front US ambassador. Mush may have done some controversial things but those donot effect the poor of this country. There was no corruption case against him. His alies incl ex PM Shaukat may have done corruption (like steel mill & stock market crash), so call them
What about our missing 1.7 billion $?
I feel sorry for this nation who never recognize their True Leaders. We are corrupt and likes to be ruled by same Corrupt Politicians and always ready to vote for them.. Pakistani Please think of yours children future, will they also live in same environment where we are leaving....ruled by corrupt, illeterate, terrorist Politicians.
We need people like Musharaf , Imran Khan who can bring change for Pakistan. I am Optimistic bout future of Pakistan and inshallah in this election we will throw away the corrupt plitician from Pakistani Politics. GOD help and save Pakistan from evil forces who are hiding their faces in religious and poitical groups.....
I find many pro Musharraf comments here. We are not ungrateful people.
Pakistani people deserves to be ruled by the same tired rulers - Mr Musharraf should just leave and enjoy the peace and quite abroad. Pakistani's are not worth it!
I truly admire Musharraf's leadership and i pray for his success.
This is Musharraf's greatness that he is even ready to go to jail but there is no one in Pakistan to send him jail because all the allegations and accusations against Musharraf are baseless and based on political revenge,falsehood,fabrication and embellishment and falsehood,fabrication and embellishment don't have feet to stand strong and firm.......
@Uza Syed: "I admire and support his stand, he is a brave man"
Brave men don't play Kargil. Because of Musharaff thousands of Pakistani soldiers died in Kargil. Pakistani government DENIED its soldiers were involved in Kargil. Pakistan governement even refused to take dead Pakistani soldiers back from India.
@Yoghurt lover:
You are wrong, he did not run away from the country. He stayed in the country after resignation for almost 8 months. During that 8 months he went to India and some other places and came back. When his lecture circuit starts then he prefers to stay at the central place in London.
His enemies start their campaign against Musharraf since he decided to make a political party to contest in the election.
One more thing why you Indian have to poke your nose in our Internal affairs.
@Optimistic: why opologetic if u support Presdent Musharraf . i am very proud to support one genuin person we have in the league of leadership
why he came for Pakistan...out of goodness of spirit to serve motherland...very few ppl will NOT find this confusing/conflicting...thats bcoz they(majority) themselves have no belief in good or bad, ryt or wrong...for them every single politician is corrupt and trying to lure them in to supporting his campaign...lets analyse this single statement...call any one zardari, nawaz, shahbaz and anyother politician (u can think of)....does anyone of em has even the pair to admit/ accept the decision of the court even if he personally feels he did everything for the country's sake...???leave aside can anyone of them hold a press conference and give a detailed account of what they did for the country???anything sumthing?? b4 that can anyone of them admit their misdeeds before a whole press conference...when WE know about every corrupt actions of the politicians as much as they do..???? only a pure heart and good intentions can make a man bold enough to admit his misdoings...whether intentional or otherwise(best course of action)...Y TRY ONLY PM THEN HAVE U FORGOT ZARDARI, NAWAZ, THEIR MPAs, MNAs with fake degrees...
@M@ni: after witnessing what a democratic govt can do and YET you ppl blame PM for what has happended to the country and strive to bring him to justice then PPL LIKE U DESERVE ZARDARI....
@Yoghurt lover: Brother correct your information.. Musharraf remained in the country for 8 long months after his resignation from the govt. in 2008. Its good rather great to debate on open forums but will be much better if done with correct information, i am not a supporter of Mr Musharraf but i know one thing that Pakistan was doing great as a nation and the integrity of Pakistan around the World was on the top at that particular time. No offense !
@Siddique Malik:
It will be a waste him in the person, he should be punished fo a period not exceeding his stay in Islamabad, to look after the public parks and the local mosques of Islamabad.
Rex Minor
@Behari Kebab: None of "the PPP, PML-N, MQM, ANP. etc. leaders" overthrew a constitutionally elected government. Yes, most of them are corrupt. They should be punished for corruption, while Musharraf should be punished for corruption and subverting the constitution. And don't give me his propaganda that he committed no corruption. Siddique Malik, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
@Akbar:
Excellent prognosis sir!!! Hwever, you just forgot the Taliban factor as well as the military who do not take orders from the looser!
Rex Minor
@Mirza: I totally agree with you mirza. Let us see if Mush is sent to jail how many of his supporters would put up with flogging, jail time and street protests. The number of people on the street and in jail for him would decide his fate.
We Salute u Sir.
Imposing emergency is not covered under article 6 of constitution. It is an action which a sitting government can take if it deem necessary. Like any decision of the government, it can be challenged in the court and if the court decides that the action is not correct, than the action taken under the imposed rule is declared void. In the instant case Judicial vendetta is more pronounced than the judicial restraint. In long run, it will damage the image of Judiciary which already gives the impression of tribal feud. The take over of the government which is punishable under article has already been declared legal by the same judges of the same court
Like a true soldier. Proud of you sir Musharraf.
Musharraf is the best leader Pakistan had in a long time. If he goes to jail, then in all fairness the PPP, PML-N, MQM, ANP. etc. leaders should be sent to the gallows.
Done nothing wrong? All usurpers live under the same illusion. "In the name of supreme national interest" has become the modus operandi of all those who grab power illegally. He is a usurper and a criminal, just like the other dakoos, Ayub, Yahya and Zia. Musharraf should be jailed for life -- I am against death penalty -- and his three dead predecessor dakoos should also be declared as convicted traitors. Actually, in 1972, the Supreme Court did declare Ayub and Yahya as usurpers, but this did not stop Zia from his crime against the constitution. That was because the judiciary had not yet developed teeth. I hope it has these teeth now, but considering that it behaves more like a political party than judiciary, I doubt it. Therefore, the struggle of the people of Pakistan for the rule of law is far from complete. Siddique Malik, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
He is the only gutsy politician around. The rest essentially are "veneer" democrats. Peel off the top layer and you find nothing of substance under it.
Musharraf is bullish and knows that what is being conjured up against him is patently unfair such as deciding to prosecute him for the 2007 emergency and not the 1999 takeover. Why? Because the Supreme Court approved of the 1999 takeover including our esteemed CJP and will have to share the guilt. The 2007 emergency has a ton of other players. If they are punished then why would NS and team be spared for their role in assisting Gen Zia ul Haq's martial law (Musharraf's was not even a Martial Law)?
So lets bring it on. I know Musharraf is more ready than most of these other opportunistic Hyenas that run around finding cover when under fire.
Musharraf's supporters are the quiet ones. They are watching this drama unfold but won't participate in idiotic naray baazi because they know that the Courts do not have a case against him.
I have more belief in his political acumen than that of all the others put together.
General, stay the course, may God be with you!
that will be a great feat. atleast he has the courage to do that. what precedent did nawaz sharif set, setting off to a foreign land for what, seeking pardon from jail.........great job musharref.
"Musharraf played with Bush Adminsitration like a fiddle" - Bruce Riedel Former CIA head. So those who are thinking he is so naive that he has come back to Pakistan just for one seat are living in another world. Few questions here how much sure are we that the elections will take place on 11th May? Even if they take place as planned it will be a very weak Coalition Govt which will fail within 18 months. With that PML N PPP both parties would have failed Pakistan successively within short period of time. That's where Musharraf takes out his card and play the role he has come to Pakistan for. The way i see it there will be APML which will have PML N / Q / F / new / old / PPP Shaheeh / PPP Sherpao etc under its fold. 2014/15 will be the year of next elections.
Evil is the only exception who will face God the almighty one on the day of judgement, and say that he has done no wrong since God the almighty one approved Evil engagements with the people. Musharaf should be put in the tube(MRT) and with todays knowledge one could understand his statement. Alternatively one could ask her mother to tell the world about him, who favoured Musharaf's brother. He iis suffering from from a personality complex and could be a study case fot a Psychologist.
Rex Mother
PS The charges against him require capital punishment, he keeps on talking about the jail.
@Akbar:
Nawaj Shariff will never allow Musharraf to rise in politics.( it will be suicidal for him politically) It will be army's role to ensure that Musharraf does not go to prison for treason charges. all other charges on Musharraf may be acceptable to army.
Musharraf should not have returned to Pakistan for the good of the country. He should have stayed abroad and enjoyed a retired life playing tabla and golf. His return and stay in Pakistan may split the army ranks as he has supporters and enemies amongst both serving and retired generals. Also his relationship with Kayani is not good but he has good relations with Pasha. If Pasha also decides to come back to Pakistan, it could be another problem for Pakistan. Musharraf has done both good and bad for Pakistan but his return back to Pakistan will prove to be bad for Pakistan. Saudis advised him correctly against returning back to Pakistan. It may be better for Pakistan if he leaves Pakistan without contesting elections and the judiciary facilitates his exit. Even if he gets some seats in the parliament, he shall be a problem for all other parliamentarians whenever he attends the parliament sessions.
@Adnan:
"Why Musharraf is in Pakistan?"
Musharraf misses Pakistan's Aloo Ghosht.
@M@ni: What a CRAP. He has to fix the country from the evil corrupt past. Pakistan First! May Allah save Pakistan from the Looters.
Bhotto also went to jail and later hanged...
He gave to Pakistan no others could ever give. His rule was the best time, comparatively speaking.
See where we stand in terms of education, poverty, employment, power crisis, business crisis, etc etc. These are the areas directly related to common Pakistanis.
Grant him his wish and send him to Jail for at-least 8 years
Go mushy go.
Living in his "farm house", is it really a farm house or he just hoodwinked the capital authorities to have more land to his mansion. It shows how honest and Amin he is. I say let the court decide his fate, if found guilty then jail him otherwise he should live like the rest of citizens.It should also be highlighted that he did not pay his fair share of taxes for the last 5 years while he earned millions overseas.By the way allowing a foreign country to come and kill people inside Pakistan is the violation of Pakistan's sovereignty, drones should never have been allowed into Pakistani territory unless FATA is not included in Pakistan. The commando is a habitual lier.He should also be prosecuted for letting foreign countries come in and kill Pakistani citizens regardless what kind of citizens they are, it is the responsibility of the Pakistan law enforcement agencies including the Army to maintain law and order in the country, they are getting paid for doing the job.
Musharraf may take over PML N in the next 18 months. Many will be thinking on the absurdity of this statement. Truth is people will be in for a surprise in the same way as they are on the silence of PML N on his return. For Musharraf's plan to be successful its important that PML N should win the elections with a small margin just enough to form a Govt. This result will ensure the rest as the cards will start falling down in a domino effect.
I admire and support his stand, he is a brave man, a great leader and truly dedicated son of Pakistan and I'm sure that Pakistan must be truly proud of its son Presiden Musharraf. His persecution is not something unique, History would verify the fact that he is being persecuted like many good people have been sacrificed by the forces of evil. This good man wopuld be missed for his services and for dwarffing his opponents by greatness of his person.
Poor guy.. Where are his supporters and esp. those who sided with him in his decisions? Where are those cowards hiding now?
@Mia Musharraf,
Who are you fooling sir? Yourself?
You ran away from your own country on the fear of being jailed. Now, all of a sudden you are ready to face jail?
And there is a difference between conviction and mulishness. You are mulish sir, not honest.
that won't happen - or the all those aided with all your decisions will also go with you to the same jail.
If he goes to jail, justice will prevail!