Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in an interview to CNN-IBN has made some scathing comments against India and Prime Minister Modi – even hitting out at Modi’s ties to the RSS.
Musharraf firmly stated that nobody should dare Pakistan or try to carry out operations like India did in Myanmar.
If Indian forces after entering Myanmar declare that they will do the same with Pakistan, then of course it is a matter of concern to us. You had dare not treat us like Myanmar. You may not have used the word ‘Pakistan’ but that is what you implied.
– Pervez Musharraf, Former Pakistan President
Talking Terror
Musharraf also refuted claims that Pakistan is supporting terror outfits and instead accused India of sponsoring terrorism in Balochistan.
When asked why terrorists of Lashkar-e-Toiba are considered freedom fighters in Pakistan, Musharraf had this to say,
One man’s terrorists are another man’s freedom fighters. It is not just us (Pakistanis), it is happening everywhere in the world.
– Pervez Musharraf, Former Pakistan President
Asserting that the dispute in Kashmir was of national interest, Musharraf claimed that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had made a mistake in not engaging the separatists in talks. Even Indian leaders must speak with them, the former President declared.
Coming out in strong defence of people who were helping the terror outfits in Kashmir, Musharraf refused to acknowledge that they were ‘terrorists’. Instead he reiterated his stand that whoever was helping their brethren in Kashmir was a freedom fighter.
Musharraf Equates LeT to RSS, Sena
When asked about the Lashkar-e-Toiba and their status as a terror outfit, Musharraf quickly got aggressive. He recalled the 2007 Samjhauta Express blasts in which 68 people were killed – most of whom were Pakistani nationals. He pointed out that the RSS had claimed responsibility for the attack, which makes them an extremist outfit too.
“Your Prime Minister belongs to the RSS. What about that?” he challenged.
Singling out Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, Musharraf reminded viewers of how the party had been vehemently against the Pakistan cricket team’s entry into India. It had in fact been very aggressive in its approach, Musharraf proclaimed.
“Nukes not for Shab-e-baraat”
Defending the statement he’d made after India’s Myanmar operation, the former Pak President said it was a natural reaction to the hostility that India had shown towards its neighbours.
When you threaten Pakistan and say that we’ll respond to terror with terror, obviously you will get a reaction. We are maintaining forces both conventional and unconventional (at the border) and we will use them.
– Pervez Musharraf, Former Pakistan President
PM’s Dhaka Speech, a Provocation?
A visibly angered Musharraf defended Pakistan’s reaction to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Dhaka speech. He said that PM Modi’s speech indicated that he was being hostile, while also challenging Pakistan’s honour and dignity.
After 50 years you are trying to rake up anti-Pak sentiments in Bangladesh? Is it not offensive and aggressive? What Modi did is not acceptable to Pakistan. You challenge our honour and dignity, we will react. I certainly will.
– Pervez Musharraf, Former Pakistan President
Musharraf maintained that if Modi was serious about peaceful co-existence with Pakistan then this was certainly not the way to go about it.
Accusing the Indian Prime Minister of being two-faced, he stated that Modi was trying to follow a policy of bringing Pakistan under submission.
Bagal mein churi, muh pe ram ram (Reciting holy chants while brandishing a knife). This is what your Prime Minister does.
– Pervez Musharraf, Former Pakistan President
Musharraf signed off on a note of warning, saying that if India got involved in the dispute between Pakistan and Afghanistan, it would lead to a proxy war in the region.
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