ISLAMABAD (January 11 2009): Former President General Pervez Musharraf (Retd) has asked India to avoid rhetoric of surgical strikes in Pakistan, saying that if it is the only option, then Pakistan can also fight fire with fire. "India should stop the rhetoric of surgical strikes in Pakistan in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist attacks, as armed forces and people of Pakistan are ready and capable of retaliating to any aggression," Musharraf said.
While talking to media at Benazir International Airport before his departure to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday. "Why they (Indians) are again and again talking of surgical strikes in Pakistan? Why can't Pakistan say the same," he asked. "Our armed forces are not sitting idle and have full capacity to retaliate to any level of aggression, therefore, India should not fan the war hysteria emerged after Mumbai terrorist strikes," he added.
Musharraf said that the Mumbai terrorist attacks were highly condemnable and it was a move of terrorists to disturb the peace of the region and bring the cordial relations of Pakistan and India under shadow. He said that during his government, Pakistan had tried its best to develop friendly relations with the eastern neighbours.
"I believe relations between Pakistan and India were going fine and confidence was gradually building between the leadership and people of the two countries, until the Mumbai attacks," Musharraf said, adding that both the governments should adopt a prudent way and hold joint investigation to resolve the mystery of November 26 Mumbai attacks.
He said that Mumbai attacks had created war hysteria in Pakistan and India and it was time to show sagacity to give peace a chance. Musharraf dispelled the impression of any secret deal with the US over cross-border drone attacks in Pakistani, saying that people, who were talking about any deal, were hoodwinking the public opinion.
Musharraf, who was forced to retire as Chief of Army Staff, said his government had never authorised any drone strikes inside Pakistan by the US-led forces. "It was agreed that the US or the Nato forces can strike only up to the borders and would not enter the Pakistan territory," he added.
He termed the do more rhetoric of America against terrorism as rubbish, saying Pakistan had done more than anyone else in war against terror. "It is beyond the understanding. "Pakistan has done its best against terrorism and it was the worst victim of terrorism and still being targeted by suicide bombers," he maintained.
He stressed the need for joint international efforts against terrorism. "We have to pool our efforts to find the root-causes of terrorism and address these problems to give people their rights," he said, adding that the world community must avail the opportunity of resolving the longstanding issues of Kashmir and Palestine.
The former president, who administered oath to the present government functionaries, avoided to reply questions on the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government's handling of the crisis after the Mumbai attacks that India has blamed on Pakistani elements.
He said he would not comment on the performance of the present government and would neither compare it with his government. To a question about his second foreign visit after his resignation as president, he said: "I'll continue to visit foreign countries as I have invitations from friends, family and some international institutions."
