Musharraf to stand by Army if it takes over in Pakistan

New Delhi, Jan 15: Former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf says that he is "reasonably sure" that the military would not resort to a coup in his country but would support the Army if it takes over.

He also says he is open for an alliance with cricketer- turned-politician Imran Khan, but will not serve under him if elected to power.

"I don't think Army intends to take over. The environment is not at all conducive for the Army to take over. I think the Army understands that," he told Karan Thapar on Devil's Advocate programme on CNN-IBN.

Asked if he would back a coup, Musharraf said, "I am reasonably sure that army coup will not take place but my support always remains with the Army. I've been an armyman and I can never imagine to be against the Army...I am with the Army, I will stand by the Army."

On the possibility of an alliance with Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf, he said, "If they want an alliance, certainly I would like to have an alliance.

"We have to come with a third political option because the two political options presently and in the past have been tried and failed...there is a need of coalition of forces which can bring about that third political option which can deliver to Pakistan," Musharraf, who intends to return to Pakistan from self-exile later this month, said.

He said he was aware of people in Khan's party who keep saying that they will not get into an alliance with him.

"But they don't have a vision, they don't understand what they are talking. They go into the field and lose and then (people) choose same party then Pakistan suffers," he said.

He vehemently rejected suggestions of serving under Khan, if the alliance came to power. "I cannot serve under him. I can be outside...I cannot be serving under anyone," the former military ruler said.

PTI