We trained militants to fight against India: Mush

We trained militants to fight against India: Mush

 

Former general admits that Pakistan has underground groups to fight in Kashmir

London: Pakistan had trained militant groups to fight against India and "the government turned a blind eye because they wanted India to discuss Kashmir", former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf has said in a candid admission.

In an interview to Der Spiegel, Musharraf said militant groups "were indeed formed" to fight India in Kashmir. He said, "The government turned a blind eye because they wanted India to discuss Kashmir."

To a query on whether the Pakistani security forces trained the militants, Musharraf said, "The West was ignoring the resolution of the Kashmir issue, which is the core issue of Pakistan. We expected the West — especially the United States and important countries like Germany — to resolve the Kashmir issue. Has Germany done that?"

The 67-year-old former Pakistan army chief, who masterminded a coup in October 1999 and overthrew the Nawaz Sharif government, pointed out that whenever Pakistan was in turmoil, "everybody looks to the army. But I would suggest that the times of military coups in Pakistan are over".

On the present government in Pakistan, he said that "everybody can see what they are doing". "Pakistan is experiencing a deep economic decline — in other areas, as well. Law and order are in jeopardy, extremism is on the rise and there is political turmoil. The non-performance of an elected government is the issue."

On present Pakistan army chief general Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the man who succeeded Musharraf, the former president said, "I made him chief of the army, because I thought that he was the best man for the job."

Musharraf also indicated he had no regrets for the Kargil intrusion, that led to an armed conflict with India in 1999, and argued that each country had a right to promote its national interest.

He made it clear that he wasn't leading "a hermit's life" in Britain. "I meet people here and in Dubai. And hundreds of Pakistanis called into a TV show in which I collected money for the flood victims. They donated $3.5 million. Do you think they are doing this because they hate me?"

He lamented that the West blamed Pakistan "for everything". "Everybody is interested in strategic deals with India, but Pakistan is always seen as the rogue".

However, Islamabad rubbished the former military ruler's statement as "baseless". Pakistan foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit said, "As far as government of Pakistan is concerned, I strongly refute these baseless suggestions," he was quoted as saying by a news channel. —IANS