When it comes to violence, India has to stop, so do we: Musharraf

As the chief of the Armed forces, Pervez Musharraf is known for the Kargil misadventure that ended in a defeat, but still led to deep shifts in the power structure in Pakistan. Soon afterwards, however, after a bloodless coup that brought him to power as the President, he was keen to be seen as part of those striving for peace. At a time when tension between India and Pakistan is simmering, Musharraf, spoke to Thanthi TV about both the nations’ role in encouraging violence, the need to stop it and to promote peace. Excerpts from the interview:

The situation is bad. Since both are nuclear-armed nations any escalation of tension can lead to horrendous consequences in both the countries. Such a situation has risen owing to India sending a war plane.Now you want to punish us. We are not ready to allow this.

Consider the attempt by an Indian Navy submarine to enter Pakistani waters, which was thwarted. The Pakistan army had claimed that prime arms were present in the submarine. If that was sunk what would have happened?

I am unwilling to talk about Indian leadership which is bent on escalating such tension. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created a hostile situation. This is not the right thing.

That’s a big story. All of it is linked to Kashmir.

All this tension is owing to Pakistan’s interference on the Kashmir issue.

I deny it.

Let’s talk brass-tacks. Both the countries are doing the same. India is also behind bomb blast and other terror activities.

Iran has pointed the irony of Pakistan, despite being a nuclear power, being unable to tackle terrorist groups with just hundred members or so.

This is mainly because the groups who you deem to be terrorists are revolutionaries in our view.

I can talk about India and Afghanistan for over an hour. What right does India have in Afghanistan? Is there a common language link or cultural link? Does the two countries share a common border or religion? What unity does India and Afghanistan have? What is India doing in Jalalabad?

Yes. In Balochistan. Such attacks are being triggered by India’s intelligence agencies. This is 200 per cent true. What do you think is the Indian Embassy in Afghanistan doing?

Yes. This is what I am saying. This iswhat we are mutually doing to each other. Let’s stop that.

The government of Pakistan is acting against it. Let’s see.

We have spoken a lot about JeM. I have clarified my opinion about JeM. What you are doing in Balochistan, we are doing it in Kashmir and other areas. This should not happen. Both are enemy nations. India’s R&AW and Pakistan’s ISI will keep creating problems for one another. This is the truth. You have to stop and we too have to stop.

But coming to the present tension between India and Pakistan. India had attacked a terrorist camp in Balakot. In turn, why is Pakistan attacking India’s army bases through air-strikes?

No. You are calling it as terror camps.I don’t see it as so.

Yes. JeM is a terrorist outfit. I agreeto this. They attack public. They tried to attack me as well.

We attacked only a centre linkedto JeM. But Pakistan retaliates byattacking our army.

Let me be explicit. This is an utter lie. India’s claim of attacking a JeM base in Balakot is absurd. I am an army man. I can easily evaluate the intensity of an attack. I saw it on television. All that the attack had created was a small pit. Nothing ever happened other than the creation of a pit. But you claim that at least 350 people had died in the attack.

Everything is a lie.

No, I haven’t. But there was nothing on Indian television channels either.Where are the bodies of the 350 people that you say were killed? All that the attack managed to achieve was to make a pit on a hill. That is all. The attack had not caused the death of even 20 people.

International press has confirmed loss of life in the attack

No. None of the international media have come out with any such information as you claim. This is just an exaggeration.

You were the ones who attacked. Your jet planes came. Your Prime Minister wanted a war. He sent a fighter plane. But we downed it and returned the captured Indian pilot revealing our magnanimity.

Nothing at all. His release happened owing to Pakistan’s magnanimity. Even that is being turned into a controversial issue by India.

Looks like we should not have returnedthe pilot. We see India as a big nation with a weak mindset.

Why?

Widen your minds and thoughts.You can’t digest the fact that Pakistan, which is much smaller than India, is able to stand at par with it.

During Kargil war, Pakistan had released IAF fighter pilot Kambampati Nachiketa who was taken captive. It’s our right to get our soldiers back.

India-Pakistan relations has always been bogged with enmity and hatred. You are bent on creating problems in Balochistan and we are bound to create problems as well.

If I must come out with my expectations explicitly and if we want peace, then current PrimeMinister Narendra Modi is not the right person for that. He is not for peace between India and Pakistan.

There are certain issues with the opposition parties as well.

Yes. He seems like a good leader. When I was the president of Pakistan, we had gone to Delhi. Rahul had invited my family for tea while Manmohan Singh hosted lunch. These are welcome aspects. Do you know that I have encouraged cricket matches between India and Pakistan? When India played at Lahore, the Lahore crowd which generally hates India, encouraged India. This is how you can build relations and reduce hatred. Indian politicians should avoid building hatred on Pakistan to harvest votes.

Yes. I support him.