Former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf on Thursday said Taliban were ‘our own people’, who had gone a little astray.
He supported the idea of having dialogue with militants. But he cautioned that all such overtures should be made with dignity, adding that peace could not be begged for.
“You cannot plead like an orphan – ‘please do not beat me’. I do not believe in it,” Musharraf added.
In his first interview after being released on bail, Musharraf said he had no intention of leaving the country as he wanted to face all the cases against him in the courts of law and hoped to prove his innocence.
“I solemnly say that whatever I did in the eight years of my rule, I did in the best interest of the country and for the best interest of the people. One may point out that I committed some wrong. But no wrong was done deliberately and with a bad intention,” he said.
The former president said if he got another chance he would again do whatever he thought would be favourable to the country and its people.
He said he put the interest of the country above everything else and would keep this in view despite any differences with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
He said the 90% officials of the time advised him not to liberate the media but he was of the view that Pakistan needed a free media for its progress and prosperity.
“Frankly I shall want to take the credit of making the media free here,” he said, adding that those who benefited the most from this freedom now spoke against him.
He claimed that a well-known anchor of a big channel had been urging him to initiate operation against the Lal Masjid people.
About the supporters who ditched him in the time of need he said: “There are always ups and downs in life.”
Speaking about terrorism, he said there was always a foreign hand behind such acts, including Taliban attacks, unrest in Balochistan and sectarianism.
He said he had introduced real democracy in the country through local governments. “The steps I took empowered women and provided rights to minorities.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2013.
COMMENTS (25)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Musharraf derailed democracy. It was his biggest crime.and he took many steps against the constitution.
"I committed some wrong"...do you mean kargil?
was he knowing OBL address?
The opposition of all criminal political figures, biased media and corrupt judiciary against PM, is a strong proof of his love for the country. May he live long and be able to serve Pakistan again soon. Lets all pray for his power revival. Lets every true Pakistani support him. Lets hope to see again Pakistan elevating under his leadership. Jye Musharraf...
With four major charges against him and confined to his house he still remains one of the best spokesman Pakistan has - says something about the quality of your present leadership.
@Parvez...who led them astray? People who keep going astray now and then in Pakistan, those incharge.
Musharraf is a great leader. After Jinnah, and perhaps Ayub Khan. I pray he comes back in power. We are fed up with these SHER brothers.
@Blunt:Musharraf has said that many times before in interviews,nothing new,he is the best leader for Pakistan.
‘Taliban are our people gone astray’ Just imagine what the reaction of some people would be, if the same was said by Imran Khan.
....and who led them astray ? The same people who allowed them to be led astray must be held responsible for bringing them back in line.....dead or alive.
Oddly enough, all those who feverishly spoke out against him 6 years ago seem to reminisce so very fondly. Needless to say that corrupt rulers are indeed well deserving for the feeble minded masses.
strong textA Great Leader ,much needed by Pakistan during present conditions .
@Rukhsar: You're welcome!
In previous text when I mentioned abt Rajputana and Mughal eras it was about mentioning India!
@asim: He failed to deliver, are you out of your mind. Do u know how much security our politicians and their families enjoy? what a joke.
The best leader Pakistan ever had. A selfless leader who speaks truth and world listens to him. My prayers are with Musharraf.
Pakistani media owes Musharaff for he gave them freedom, ask Hamid Mir and Jang group. They are most ungrateful...........................
Taliban - Our own people, gone a little astray!
This coming from the man attacked twice and commanding military that lost thousands! I have no words to describe his poor judgement.
He gave Pakistan an independent media.
Jeetay raho General Musharraf Sahab! May you always be happy and somehow may you rule this country again! Youre like a father to me. I pray for your success at all times! May Allah protect you from beasts of this country and may He guide you to serve my countrymen yet again! Salute and respect to your honesty, patriotism, resolve to serve my country and honor with integrity. I wish you well Musharraf sahab! May you be my nation's leader yet again, as a youngster with a degree in my hand and no job since a while i hate this so called democracy because of which i cant support my family and join a job based on sheer merit. It took 500 yrs after Rajputana and Mughal eras to be a democracy, it took more then 200 yrs after Declaration of Independence for USA to be a great democracy. Expecting Pakistan to be mere one in 66 yrs is sheer hypocrisy.
Thank you musharraf for creating NRO that bestowed upon as Zardari government, one of its kind in this world
‘Taliban are our people gone astray’ Thank you for introducing them in the first place........You can control a beast unless it becomes self aware. It was during Musharraf's era, the TTP surfaced for the first time. Had he done something concrete to nip the evil in the bud, we wouldn't have lost 50K+ of precious lives. His story is pretty much like the 90s of Nawaz. His own deeds brought his downfall...
@RUKHSAR: A person who failed to deliver in 10 years and now living a luxurious life in a farm house with 1200 men deployed on his security is looking to lead the nation again. what a joke Indeed he is sucking blood of the nation. why 1200 people on his security? If he is a real leader why afraid to face the public?
Man I remember those days back during Musharraf's rule. It was kind of like getting the opportunity of witnessing Ayub Khan reincarnate. Everything was going so well :'( Ik and Musharraf Zindabaad! May Allah give both of them Health and Prosperity and a long life :)