Musharraf says Nawaz lying about Kargil

FORMER President Gen Pervez Musharraf has said all matters regarding resolution of the Kashmir dispute were settled at the Agra Summit in India, and a draft of joint communiquT was prepared in this connection, but unfortunately, the things could not be materialised as the Indian cabinet did not approve the document.
In an interview with a private TV channel on Friday, Musharraf said some amendments in the draft declaration were recommended by India, and these were accepted by Pakistan, but despite this, no positive movement was shown by the Indian cabinet in this regard.
The former president revealed that it was stated in the draft that Kashmir was a core issue between Pakistan and India, which would be resolved through negotiations.
He further said he had convinced the entire leadership in Kashmir except Ali Gilani on the four-point formula. He kept on saying that if both Pakistan and India agreed on any pact on Kashmir in future, a policy of give-and-take would have to be followed.
To a question, Musharraf said he was ready to face any case filed against him by family of Nawab Akbar Bugti. He said opening of Nov 3 cases would open another Pandoras box.
He stated that he took every step in countrys interest. He confessed that the lawyers movement damaged his popularity and later on, the movement was hijacked by political parties.
Asked about putting curbs on CJ Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary, Musharraf said he had no idea what was going on at CJ Iftikhars residence and who was calling the shots. He however confessed that police mishandled the situation.
To a query, he said terrorism and extremism were posing a great threat to countrys existence. He said the situation was under control during his regime because Maulana Fazlullah was on the run and TNSM chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad was in jail.
Once again defending his position on the Kargil issue, Musharraf said PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif was lying altogether in this connection. It was Nawaz Sharif who went to the US on his own. I did not ask him to do so.
Online adds: Musharraf strongly rejected the allegations levelled against him by Nawaz in connection with the Kargil episode, saying that neither had he sent Nawaz to US nor had he given him advice to withdraw forces from Kargil.
He said all three parties Pakistan-India-Kashmir must have a cohesive, joint consensus for a durable and lasting solution of the core issue of Kashmir, adding that the people of Pakistan, India and Kashmir would have to give and take something for the lingering issue of Kashmir.
He strongly dispelled the impression that the Army was a hurdle in the solution of the Kashmir dispute, which, according to him, was about to be resolved because everything had been finalised but unfortunately, the Indian cabinet had not approve the draft of the communique.
Terming referendum against Chief Justice a constitutional step, he confessed that he had committed some mistakes to find amicable solution to the issue. He admitted that there might have been some rigging in February 18, 2008 elections at the behest of the Election Commission of Pakistan but it would be better to forget these old things and accept election results.
Talking about the growing terrorism after February 18 elections and ongoing military operation in Swat, Musharraf said Army had restricted Fazlullah and his comrades to the Shangla mountains during his era and removed Sufi Mohammad from the scene but after the elections, the ruling government released Sufi Muhammad and Fazlullah once again started his campaign against the government by setting up his FM Radio.
Had the present government continued policies of the previous government, this situation would have definitely been different, he maintained.