Don’t hide Pakistanis’ role in 26/11: Musharraf

Former President Pervez Musharraf said Pakistan can't deceive the world and should openly oppose terrorism and extremism.

Former President Pervez Musharraf said no efforts should be made to “hide” the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the Mumbai attacks and that the people should openly oppose terrorism.

“The issue is that the nation and the people should oppose terrorism. If any of our people are involved in whatever happened in Mumbai and it comes out in the open,we should not hide it,” he told reporters in Islamabad.

“We can’t deceive the world. We should openly oppose terrorism and extremism,” Musharraf said while replying to a question on whether the Pakistan government was acting under pressure from the world community after the Mumbai incident.

“Pakistan is not a weak country,it is a nuclear and missile power. No one should have the mistaken impression that Pakistan is weak,” he said.

Islamabad last week said it had taken into custody six Pakistani nationals for their involvement in the Mumbai attacks and acknowledged that part of the conspiracy behind the incident was hatched on Pakistani soil.

In a lighter vein,Musharraf indicated that he would continue to be a “tough guy” in dealing with India when he visited the neighbouring country next month to participate in the India Today conclave.

Asked by a reporter if he would continue his “tough guy” approach towards India,Musharraf laughed and replied,”I never believe in weakness I always speak frankly.”

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Musharraf said he would be the keynote speaker at the India Today conclave,which he described as “a very prestigious get-together” of intellectuals.

Asked if he planned to return to politics,Musharraf replied: “I am not doing that.”

Musharraf resigned as President in August last year to avoid impeachment by the Pakistan People’s Party-led government. He has maintained a low profile since then.