Only gave permission for one drone strike: Musharraf
“I only gave permission once after we were short on time and were shown evidence against a prominent militant group,” the former military ruler said in an interview to BBC Urdu.
Despite, claiming that he only gave the green signal once, Musharraf admitted nine drone strikes were carried out during his tenure.
Musharraf has largely been held responsible for allowing the US drone campaign in the country’s semi-autonomous tribal regions, an accusation he has often denied.
Shifting his focus to his treason trial which has taken a new turn as a special court directed the government to include the names of three senior ex-functionaries in the charge-sheet, Musharraf said the case was a ploy to avenge his overthrow of the Nawaz-led government.
“The charges are concocted and politicised,” he affirmed, expressing hope that in the end justice will prevail.
Further, the former military ruler claimed he was aware he would likely face a trial and still chose to return to the country.
Commenting on democracy in Pakistan, the former military ruler said, “We want to impose democracy in every country but that is not possible since every country has its own problems, according to which it has to mold its rule.”
“I believe in democracy but at the same time I believe that democratic rule similar to that in United Kingdom and the United States cannot be implemented in Pakistan,” Musharraf said.
Further, regarding Pakistan-India relations, the former ruler said that no Pakistani would accept India disgracing and insulting them even though there is a desire to maintain cordial relations.
“Neither of us are ready to bow down,” he said.
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@Shahid: Now we're worse than iraq
We miss Musharraf, the honest and the analytical leader.
@Imran Qadri: Both Karachi's and Baghdad's water samples have e coli, which is found in human feces. The difference is that the water in Baghdad pipes also smells, despite boiling. You really won't want to be in Baghdad or just go there and ye shall learn!
Pathological lies. It is nothing less than that.
Lol this is a classic... "I said drone strike kar lo" they took is for open permission
Coward Man
@Shahid we are already like Iraq, in fact Iraq is now far better then Pakistan..!
musharaf may get up from the screen, he destroyed the face of the countary , he move a good society from liberal to terrorist, and this is a shame for us, that we still expect too much from him...
musharaf know how to deal western countries , thats why he rule for nine years , but this is shame for the western countries that they support him blindely
@Shahid: He sold Pakistan cheaply. He could as well have had OBL captured and handed over to the ICC so as to take away the pretext of invading Afghanistan and would have saved Pakistan better. He made things worse for Pakistan by unduly delaying the reestablishment of democracy and even went to the extent of protecting the corrupt through the NRO so as to prolong his rule.
Thank u for admitting, one out of nine permissions... General sahib what about the drone which killed Akbar Bugti, was that your "prominent militant group" ...?
Discovery: Now he is lying, a new thing?
President Musharraf saved Pakistan otherwise we would have been no different than Iraq today.