PPP for Musharraf's honourable exit: Zardari

Lahore, Jul 6: Asif Ali Zardari, Co-chairman of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) said on Saturday, July 5 that PPP wants to ensure an honourable exit for President Pervez Musharraf. Zardari was speaking in an interview to an Indian TV channel. He said that Musharraf should quit in a honourable manner and rejected the impression that he had a soft corner for the president.

"I am not soft on President Musharraf. My way of dealing with him is different. He will go. I cannot tell the time, but we want a graceful exit for him," he said in the interview. He added that no deadline had been fixed for Musharraf to leave office. "Yes, he (Musharraf) will go, but there is no deadline," said Zardari. About the ongoing military operation in FATA, Zardari said action had been taken against militant hideouts.

Zardari also said that Musharraf and former premier Nawaz Sharif were responsible for the Kargil War of 1999. "I think, both Musharraf and Nawaz Sharif were responsible for Kargil," Zardari said.

Advocating a visa-free regime for Indian citizens travelling to Pakistan, Zardari said he would be the first person to back such a proposal.

He said Kashmir was important for both India and Pakistan but should not be made a hurdle in strengthening their relations in various fields.

"Kashmir is important not only for Pakistan but for India also. But, I do feel that Indo-Pak relations can be strengthened on other fronts and they should not be held hostage to the Kashmir issue," Zardari said.

ANI