Musharraf's meeting with American officials 'unofficial', says US State Department

Washington, Oct.25 (ANI): The US State Department has clarified that former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's meeting with some officials of the Obama Administration has 'no significance'.

Addressing a media briefing here, US State Department spokesperson Ian Kelly said Washington considered Musharraf as a private citizen, and therefore any contact with him would also be of a private nature.

"As far as General Musharraf is concerned, General Musharraf is a private citizen now. I am not aware of any official contacts that we have had with General Musharraf. That's not to exclude that we haven't had official contacts," The Dawn quoted Kelly, as saying.

Media reports suggested that Musharraf, who is currently on lecture tour of the US, is seeking to meet senior US officials in an attempt to prepare a pitch to represent himself as Pakistan's next premiere.

In a separate briefing, US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke said Musharraf was now a civilian and was free to express his views.

"He (Musharraf) can say anything he wants. He doesn't speak for the government (of Pakistan). He is free to do what he wants, both here and in Pakistan. And we will not interfere in the issues concerning him and his status. I want to stress that," Holbrooke said. (ANI)