KARACHI: Former President Pervez Musharraf, who returned to Pakistan on Sunday after nearly four years in self-imposed exile, said on Wednesday that he did not strike a deal with anyone and returned to Pakistan for the people of my country.
“I am among those people who think of the country and (its) people,” Musharraf said while addressing a press conference at a local hotel in Karachi. He confirmed that he will be contesting in the general elections for a Karachi seat.
The former military dictator said that he is ready to face all challenges come what may. “I’m sitting here and I challenge my opponents to do whatever they can. I’ve come here to face all challenges,” he said.
The former President, who heads the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), faces threats from extremist militant groups.
The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) last week said it had set up a ‘special death squad’ to target the former military general. Subsequently, he was forced to scrap plans to hold a public rally at Jinnah’s mausoleum in Karachi upon his return due to safety concerns.
However, speaking to reporters today, Musharraf brushed aside all fears of security and assassination attempts. “There have been attacks on me in the past. I didn’t back off then and I won’t back off now,” Musharraf said.
Musharraf claimed that he had been the only one to raise his voice against anti-state elements and those spreading terrorism. He said that others were either scared to raise their voice or were safeguarding their own interests.
In reply to a question about the Kargil issue, Musharraf said that he was proud of the Kargil operation. Moreover, Musharraf denied handing over Dr. Aafia Siddiqui to the United States calling whoever did so a traitor.
He said that decision to join the US-led war on terror was in the interest of Pakistan and if he had not taken that decision the country’s destiny would have been completely different.
DND
