MUSHARRAF APOLOGIZES FOR ANY “MISDEEDS”

Islamabad, 18 Safar 1435/20 December 2013 (MINA) – Pakistan’s former military dictator General Pervez Musharraf, for the first time, has tendered a public apology for any “misdeeds” he may have committed during his 9-year stint.

“Whatever I did (during 9-year rule), I did that for the country and the nation. But even then, if someone thinks that I have done something wrong, I apologize for that,” an emotional General Musharraf said in an interview with a local TV channel ARY on Thursday night.

General Musharraf who ousted the elected government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on October 12, 1999, is going to be tried for high treason from December 24, vowed that he was fully ready to face the courts, and wanted to clear himself of all the charges.

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This is for the first time, he has sought forgiveness for his acts, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

General Musharraf, who has been receiving life threats from Taliban, supported the idea of holding talks with them to bring an end to the ongoing militancy in the country.

“I am in favor of talks with Taliban. Talks should be held with them,” he added.

Musharraf was forced to resign in August, 2008 when the then ruling party Pakistan Peoples Party, and opposition Pakistan Muslim League (PML) threatened to impeach him.

The federal government last month had appointed three judges for the special court to try Musharraf for high treason under Article 6.

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Justice Faisal Arab of the Sindh High Court will head the special court, which has summoned General Musharraf on December 24.

Musharraf is also facing trial in murder cases of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and former Chief Minister of Southwestern Baluchistan, and a veteran politician, Nawab Akbar Bugti. He is on bail in the said cases. (T/P09/P03)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)