Ex-advisers say Musharraf had no role in Benazir, Nawab Bugti killings

KARACHI - Pakistan’s former president Pervez Musharraf had no role to play in the assassinations of ex-premier Benazir Bhutto and Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti and no hand in the Lal Masjid operation.

Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif and Major General (retired) Rashid Qureshi claimed that those who feared Musharraf’s popularity were levelling false allegations against him.

They said Nawab Bugti was killed during an army operation in Balochistan, which was initiated on the request of the Balochistan Government.

“Scores of Army officers and jawans were also martyred in that operation,” they added.

Musharraf aides claimed the former military ruler was the only leader to bravely represent the country at every forum.

Commenting on relations between the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) and the MQM, they said ties were good and no attempt was made to create any hurdle in the way of APML.

They warned that now Musharraf is not a single person. “He is the head of a political party and any move against him would be resisted at every level,” they claimed.

Earlier, talking to mediamen at Jinnah International Airport, Qureshi said that PPP and PML-N started blaming Musharraf for Benazir Bhutto’s assassination whenever he talked about returning to the country.

He said: “All those people, who are the supporters of Musharraf, are included in the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML).” (ANI)