Musharref defends Pakistan's record against terrorism


Former Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf defended Pakistan's role in the fight against terrorism amid criticisms that it falls short on that front.

"Pakistan has always been accused of not doing enough. But I totally disagree with this statement. Pakistan is doing enough," Musharraf said in an interview that aired Sunday on ABC's "This Week."

A private White House report to Congress, obtained by CNN last week, used unusually tough language to suggest the ally is not doing nearly enough to confront the Taliban and al Qaeda. The blunt language contradicted public comments by the Obama administration that Pakistan is working hard to crack down on militants.

The report notes that from March to June, the Pakistani military "continued to avoid military engagements that would put it in direct conflict with Afghan Taliban or [al Qaeda] forces in North Waziristan. This is as much a political choice as it is a reflection of an under-resourced military prioritizing its targets."

Musharraf said that if critics want to point out deficiencies in North Waziristan, they should limit their comments to just that region.

"But don't generalize the statement that the army is not doing enough. They've suffered over 2,000 casualties. What do you mean by not doing enough?" he said.
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Pakistan has its problems, he said, but should not be blamed for its effort.

"We must understand the problems, but what hurts Pakistan and every leader in Pakistan is when they are blamed. Everyone in the world starts blaming them, while we are suffering casualties, we are suffering hundreds of people dying from bomb blasts and suicide bombs, and yet we are the rogues," Musharraf said.

Musharraf has been in self-imposed exile in London since he left office in 2008.

But he said he wants to return for a presidential run in 2013, because he sees suffering in Pakistan and doesn't see a political party offering a solution.


India supporting militancy in Balochistan: Musharraf

Former President Pervez Musharraf, in an interview with Indian TV channel Times Now, has blamed India for supporting militancy in Balochistan.

In the interview Musharraf says that India is ‘aiding and abetting Militancy in Balochistan.’ He goes on to say:

We have evidence and proof that Baramdagh who carries out attacks is sitting in Kabul, he visits Delhi and is recieved by RAW.

Just recently, when Musharraf was asked in an interview with Der Spiegel why he had formed militant underground groups to fight India in Kashmir, he had replied that “they were indeed formed. The government turned a blind eye because they wanted India to discuss Kashmir.”

However, in his latest interview with CNN-IBN, Musharraf said the ISI did not train Kashmiri militants, but admits they got shelter in Pakistan.

There is no question of the army, intelligence or the ISI creating Mujahideen groups, training them and sending them in… Hizbul Mujahideen group was created in your (Indian) part of Kashmir and then they ran away from there after military atrocities.