Musharraf sees conspiracy to defame Pak Army, ISI

Islamabad, Feb 17 (ANI): Former President Pervez Musharraf has strongly rejected allegations levelled by the New York Times journalist, David E Sanger, saying such allegations are part of a malicious campaign to defame the Pakistan Army and the country's intelligence agencies.

"I never said to late Benazir Bhutto that her security was dependent upon her relations with me", he said at a press conference at the residence of his friend Brigadier (retired) Niaz.

Referring to the book authored by Sanger; Musharraf said that what the journalist had written in his book about his (Musharraf's) conversation with Benazir Bhutto was totally untrue and unfounded. He said he was not a man of that kind who could use such 'cheap' language.

Musharraf said that he had clarified his position before the world regarding allegations levelled against him in Sanger's book and now it depends upon the government what action it takes against such unfounded reports, The Nation reported.

Addressing Sanger he said, "Get your facts corrected, I have never double-dealt".

On the reports of bugging military officers phones, Musharraf said that it was simply impossible to tape the military's communication system.

He said that an international conspiracy was being hatched against Pakistan. "There is a big conspiracy being hatched against Pakistan, to weaken its army and the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence Agency), to weaken the country," Musharraf added.

Musharraf said that attempts were being made to malign the armed forces. He said that the allegations being levelled against the armed forces and the ISI by foreign journalists and authors would lead to the defeat in war on terror.

"If Pakistan's army or the ISI were weakened due to certain conspiracies, the international community would lose the war on terror," he noted.

He strongly rebutted the media reports that during his rule any kind of tacit deal had been reached with the Taliban.

Musharraf said that around 1,500 security personnel had been killed in the 'war on terror'. "How can I show leniency towards elements who tried to kill me and attacked our army and intelligence agencies," he said, lashing out at Sanger.

He said that the allegations of his double dealing with the Taliban in the book, "The Inheritance: The world Obama confronts and the challenges to American power", were a white lie and a distortion aimed at creating misunderstandings.

"This malicious campaign was directed against him, the Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence", he added. (ANI)