Musharraf still uses his military secrets to stay alive in politics
5 Jul 2008, 1150 Hrs

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Karachi, July 5 (ANI): Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said that he was not afraid of any move to arrest him, and that he was keeping quiet in the prevailing political circumstances in the country, because as a militaryman he was trained in both offensive and defensive manners.

"I am not afraid. I have deliberately kept this (low-key) posture under a well thought-out plan because I have been trained to respond both in offensive and defensive manner, especially defending the national interest," he said in a firm tone while criticising reports about his alleged arrest or attempt to flee the country.

Musharraf declared that he had no intention of fleeing the country and go abroad, because he too had a role along with political parties to steer the country out of crisis.

Attacking the fragile-looking ruling coalition at a dinner hosted by the business community, Musharraf called for dealing with "separatists with force", tackling terrorism and extremism via a three-pronged strategy.

Musharraf was reportedly of the view that the present uncertainty and instability that caused flight of capital and a host of other problems had been created because political leadership had let the people down in tackling real issues.

He said political stability could still be achieved through politics of reconciliation and by forgetting the past and looking forward. "I'll be very happy if the present coalition completes its five-year tenure and resolves main issues by moving forward and frees itself of the politics of vendetta and rises above blame game," the Dawn quoted him as saying.

Acknowledging that the country was passing through a critical phase, he said terrorism, extremism and economic instability were affecting trade and industry, besides fomenting political turmoil.

Referring to the situation in Fata and adjoining areas, President Musharraf said a three-pronged strategy involving use of force, political dialogue and economic reconstruction, was the only way out. (ANI)