I feel strong after doffing uniform: Musharraf

Islamabad, Dec 20: President Pervez Musharraf has said that he felt stronger after doffing his uniform because he had full confidence in the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kiyani.

"He (General Kiyani) is an excellent COAS ... he is my student and has worked as my subordinate. He is a man of good head. I feel stronger today," Musharraf said while speaking at the PAK-PAC"s 18th annual dinner. Explaining the post-March 9 situation, Musharraf said that deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was the man behind the conspiracy to derail the process of a democratic transition.

"I acted against the judiciary and media in the interest of the nation because the judiciary and some elements in the media were creating problems," he said. Musharraf said that he took some unpopular decisions to preserve the nation. "I had two choices: to act or give up. I acted," the Daily Times quoted Musharraf, as saying.

He added that he could have come on TV, tell the nation what he had done during the last eight years and say good-bye.

"I decided to stay. Then the choice was between the constitution and the nation, and I acted in the interest of the nation," Musharraf claimed.

ANI>