ID :
145444
Sun, 10/10/2010 - 10:07
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/145444
The shortlink copeid
Pak's main threat 'failure' of governance than India:Musharraf
London, Oct 8 (PTI) Dubbing his political detractors as
"cowards," Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf
has said that the greatest threat his country is facing today
is "failure" of governance than India or Taliban.
"I would say, failure of governance is the greatest
threat today," Musharraf, who has announced his return to
active Pakistani politics from London where he has been living
in self-imposed exile since the general election of 2008,
said.
The wily commando-turned-politician said the immediate
necessity on the ground in Pakistan is a "functional
governance structure free of corruption".
In an interview here to Indian publication 'The Week,'
Musharraf said the current Pakistan People's Party-led
government has failed to effectively govern the country.
"The PPP government has failed to do so. Nawaz Sharif
came to power twice but could not do anything productive
because he is actually brainless," Musharraf said.
His remarks came amid criticism of the PPP-led government
for its inept handling of the catastrophic floods and
corruption.
Asked if he planned to return to Pakistan, the
67-year-old Musharraf said he would as soon as election is
announced.
"I will return as soon as elections are announced. In
the meantime, I will focus on strengthening the party from
here," he said, referring to his 'All Pakistan Muslim
League' which he launched here on October 1 thousands of miles
away from Pakistan.
The next general election in Pakistan is scheduled for
2013.
Musharraf also said he was not perturbed by reports
that he will be facing trouble if he returned to Pakistan.
"Let them do whatever they want to. As far as I am
concerned, there are no hindrances for my return when I want
to. All those opposing me are cowards and are scared of my
return," he said.
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had recently
said that if Musharraf returned to Pakistan, the Supreme Court
will "welcome" him as a slew of cases were pending against
him.
On Kashmir dispute, Musharraf said the current peace
process was headed nowhere.
"It is headed nowhere. Neither party is giving or
getting anything. Pakistan has not done anything creative
under the PPP rule. There is no progress as far as key issue
like Kashmir is concerned. In fact, situation on the ground
has gone out of control even when the peace talks are on. What
kind of peace talks is this?" he asked.
Recalling his initiatives with former Indian Prime
Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to resolve the Kashmir issue,
Musharraf said that Pakistan sought good relations with India.
"We want good relations with India, but it has to be
based on justice and fairness. Kashmir is the primary
problem and the improvement in bilateral relations between
the two countries depends on the resolution of the Kashmir
issue.
"We want to maintain the pace and hope for an early
settlement of all disputes which could turn a new page of
peace, understanding and cooperation in South Asia," Musharraf
said.
He also spoke about Pakistan's apprehensions on India's
role in neighbouring Afghanistan.
"Pakistan's security situation gets muddled when
India becomes hyper active in Afghanistan," he said.
He said Pakistan has taken up this issue with India and
the allied forces in Afghanistan repeatedly.
"India has to prove that its intentions in Afghanistan
won't work against the welfare of Pakistan," he said.
On the volatile situation in Afghanistan, Musharraf
said military measures have delivered "positive results" in
the past as far as the Taliban is concerned.
"But in the last few years, Taliban has conducted several
suicide attacks in the heartland of Pakistan. Military action
has to create space for political solution. Tough measures
were not undertaken on a whim. We tried all options but
failed.
"Now, a mix of soft and tough measures need to be
adopted. If I return to power, the armed forces will be well-
equipped and maintained. Any misadventure against Pakistan
will be thwarted," he said.
Asked about US President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to
India, Musharraf said: "I am not interested in the India-US
relationship till the time it doesn't involve Pakistan." PTI
AKJ
"cowards," Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf
has said that the greatest threat his country is facing today
is "failure" of governance than India or Taliban.
"I would say, failure of governance is the greatest
threat today," Musharraf, who has announced his return to
active Pakistani politics from London where he has been living
in self-imposed exile since the general election of 2008,
said.
The wily commando-turned-politician said the immediate
necessity on the ground in Pakistan is a "functional
governance structure free of corruption".
In an interview here to Indian publication 'The Week,'
Musharraf said the current Pakistan People's Party-led
government has failed to effectively govern the country.
"The PPP government has failed to do so. Nawaz Sharif
came to power twice but could not do anything productive
because he is actually brainless," Musharraf said.
His remarks came amid criticism of the PPP-led government
for its inept handling of the catastrophic floods and
corruption.
Asked if he planned to return to Pakistan, the
67-year-old Musharraf said he would as soon as election is
announced.
"I will return as soon as elections are announced. In
the meantime, I will focus on strengthening the party from
here," he said, referring to his 'All Pakistan Muslim
League' which he launched here on October 1 thousands of miles
away from Pakistan.
The next general election in Pakistan is scheduled for
2013.
Musharraf also said he was not perturbed by reports
that he will be facing trouble if he returned to Pakistan.
"Let them do whatever they want to. As far as I am
concerned, there are no hindrances for my return when I want
to. All those opposing me are cowards and are scared of my
return," he said.
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had recently
said that if Musharraf returned to Pakistan, the Supreme Court
will "welcome" him as a slew of cases were pending against
him.
On Kashmir dispute, Musharraf said the current peace
process was headed nowhere.
"It is headed nowhere. Neither party is giving or
getting anything. Pakistan has not done anything creative
under the PPP rule. There is no progress as far as key issue
like Kashmir is concerned. In fact, situation on the ground
has gone out of control even when the peace talks are on. What
kind of peace talks is this?" he asked.
Recalling his initiatives with former Indian Prime
Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to resolve the Kashmir issue,
Musharraf said that Pakistan sought good relations with India.
"We want good relations with India, but it has to be
based on justice and fairness. Kashmir is the primary
problem and the improvement in bilateral relations between
the two countries depends on the resolution of the Kashmir
issue.
"We want to maintain the pace and hope for an early
settlement of all disputes which could turn a new page of
peace, understanding and cooperation in South Asia," Musharraf
said.
He also spoke about Pakistan's apprehensions on India's
role in neighbouring Afghanistan.
"Pakistan's security situation gets muddled when
India becomes hyper active in Afghanistan," he said.
He said Pakistan has taken up this issue with India and
the allied forces in Afghanistan repeatedly.
"India has to prove that its intentions in Afghanistan
won't work against the welfare of Pakistan," he said.
On the volatile situation in Afghanistan, Musharraf
said military measures have delivered "positive results" in
the past as far as the Taliban is concerned.
"But in the last few years, Taliban has conducted several
suicide attacks in the heartland of Pakistan. Military action
has to create space for political solution. Tough measures
were not undertaken on a whim. We tried all options but
failed.
"Now, a mix of soft and tough measures need to be
adopted. If I return to power, the armed forces will be well-
equipped and maintained. Any misadventure against Pakistan
will be thwarted," he said.
Asked about US President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to
India, Musharraf said: "I am not interested in the India-US
relationship till the time it doesn't involve Pakistan." PTI
AKJ
