Lecture tours aimed at removing misconception about Pak Army, ISI: Musharraf

Lahore, July 27 (ANI): Former president Pervez Musharraf has said that his lectures were aimed at removing misconceptions about the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the country's military in the international community.

Musharraf said he would visit the country when he felt necessary, adding that he did not fear returning home.

The former president said he was popular abroad but no less popular in Pakistan, the Daily Times reported.

Musharraf said he got more than 50 bulletproof vehicles from various heads of states during his rule as a gift, but he handed over all such assets to the government when he quit office.

Replying to questions about his apartment in London, Musharraf said it was an ordinary housing facility and his son and a friend had pooled money to purchase the apartment.

Responding to another question regarding electricity theft at his Chak Shehzad farmhouse, he said he had been paying the bills according to official rates and would continue to do so.

Speaking about the Lal Mosque operation, Musharraf said the extremists had challenged the writ of the state and were dictating terms to the government in the guise of dialogue.

He said he had consulted Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain before ordering the operation.

Musharraf said the assassination of Benazir Bhutto was one of the factors behind PML-Q's defeat in the 2008 elections. (ANI)