Let's counter Indians on their home ground: Musharraf

Islamabad: Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is loving every moment of his retired life and is looking forward to his lecture tour to India next month as he plans to 'counter the Indians on their own home ground'.

After being at the helm of affairs for nine years, the former military ruler is currently keeping himself busy giving lectures. He has just returned to Pakistan after a two-week lecture tour to the US.

"I love this life. I am relaxed and satisfied. And I am enjoying my lecture tours. Next month I am going to India for the same purpose. Let's counter the Indians on their own home ground," Musharraf, who still occupies the well-guarded Army House, the official residence of the army chief in Rawalpindi, told the influential 'Dawn' newspaper.

The report did not provide specific details of his planned visit to India.

Musharraf also said he has no regrets about any of his actions since the military coup that brought him to power in October 1999.

He said politicians were equally responsible for the state Pakistan was in and explained that the reason he resigned as President -- a difficult decision for him – was because Pakistan was facing 'critical circumstances'.

Musharraf was the 'Big Speaker' at the prestigious Stanford University during his lecture tour of the US. Despite a campaign by some Pakistanis to not let him speak, hordes of Americans showed up to hear him and the retired general is believed to have made quite a fortune.

Musharraf said democracy was the only system of Government that must continue, but its British model was not suitable for Pakistan. He said the country needed a democratic model tailored to its specific needs.

He also appeared annoyed with those who believed the Inter-Services Intelligence agency was double crossing the Americans. "How can one assume the ISI is playing a double game? It was, in fact, the ISI that captured hundreds of al-Qaida operatives from Pakistan," he said.

"I made it clear to the Americans that Pakistan is doing enough in the war against terror. I warned them not to distrust the ISI which has played a key role in breaking al-Qaida networks in Pakistan."

Musharraf rejected allegations that he had been showing leniency towards Taliban militants. Referring to the abortive assassination attempts on his life, he said there was no way that he would have taken such elements lightly.

Published:Indian Express

Feb 06, 2009