'Embarrassed' Musharraf's close aides shying away from commenting on his misdeeds

Islamabad, Sep.16 (ANI) : Close aides of former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf are too embarrassed and are shying away from responding to the former general's claims that he had taken the November 3, 2007 actions only after consulting various top officials, including the then Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and the current Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani.

Musharraf's erstwhile close associates find the topic as 'too dirty' to speak about and have been avoiding any queries regarding that by simply saying 'no comments'.

A former spokesman of the Shaukat Aziz government, however, denied that the cabinet had prior knowledge of Musharraf's plan of imposing the emergency.

When asked about the issue, Lieutenant General (retired) Ali Jan Orakzai said: "It's such a dirty subject that leaving it untouched would be a better option."

Orakzai said he is waiting for the apt time to speak on Musharraf's claims.

"Let's see the gravity of the subject. I would record my statement before the court in case summoned on this issue," The News quoted Orakzai, as saying.

When informed about Shaukat Aziz's statement that he was not consulted on the November 3 actions, Orakzai said issuing such statements from abroad is easier.

"Shaukat Aziz can do this as he is living in London. I can't do so," he said.

Former Punjab Governor Lieutenant General (retired) Khalid Maqbool said he has decided not to enter into any controversy related to the past events that occurred during his stint. (ANI)