High treason case: Musharraf says trial is politicised, vengeful

Fomer president says western-style democracy cannot be imposed on Pakistan

Former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf said on Tuesday that he is facing a highly ‘politicised’ treason trial that is aimed at exacting revenge.

“All these allegations have been fabricated and [the trial] is completely politicised,” he said in an appearance on the BBC’s ‘Hard Talk’ show.

He claimed that the proceedings were initiated with the aim of exacting revenge from him and that he was being victimised. “However, I believe that in the end truth and justice will prevail,” he said.

The former president said at the time of his return to Pakistan in March last year, he knew that he might face such a situation. “I had to make a decision. I was either to stay outside the country forever or return and face the allegations,” he said.

Musharraf said western-style democracy could not be imposed on Pakistan and the democratic system needed to be localised according to the environment.

“You want to force your [western] type of democracy all over the world; however this [approach] is not workable as every country has its own problems and realities which it must take into account while running its affairs,” he said.

He portrayed himself as a strong backer of democracy. “However, in my opinion you cannot impose a Washington- or London-type democracy on Pakistan.

“We must be democratic and we believe in democracy but we will have to adapt it to Pakistan’s environment,” he said. In reply to a question, Musharraf accepted that he permitted the US to carry out a CIA-led drone strike on Pakistan’s territory.

“[But] I had agreed to it once. And I am talking about one instance when we were shared evidence regarding the presence of a terrorist group and we had very little time,” he said, while highlighting that nine drone strikes had taken place during his era.

Talking about Pakistan-India relations, he said he is not against India but believes in only safeguarding Pakistan’s interest. “No one wants to establish friendly relations with India after being disgraced, humiliated, and being scowled at. And that is the only difference,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2014.