In a big boost to India’s stated position on cross-border terrorism, Pakistan’s former President Gen Pervez Musharraf has described Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a “terrorist”, saying he has been involved in bomb blasts even in his country.
He, however, he did not give a clear reply as to why Pakistan has not been asking China to get Azhar declared as an international terrorist by the United Nations.
“Why should China be involved when it has nothing to do with him (Azhar),” Musharraf told India-based TV channel News Nation, according to a release issued by the TV channel.
A proposal is pending before the UN Security Council for declaring Azhar as an international terrorist but China has been blocking it, claiming that there is not enough evidence to prove that he is a terrorist.
The news channel also also quoted Musharraf as saying that the Nawaz Sharif government lacks aggression.
File Photo of Jaish a Mohammad chief Masood Azhar.
According to the release, Musharraf accepted Pakistan government’s diplomatic failure on international front. He, however, said it does not mean that Pakistan should be taken for granted.
To a question on whether a political leadership or Army is better suited for Pakistan’s development, Musharraf said the country had witnessed growth when Army was in power.
When asked about terror camps in PoK, he feigned ignorance saying “I don’t know”.
On Pakistan’s diminishing relations with United States, he said there are certain contentious issues which are being addressed by Pakistan Army.
When referred to the ‘surgical strike’ and military might of India, he said, Pakistan is a nuclear power with a strong army which can’t be bullied.
On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sudden visit to Pakistan and his meeting with Sharif, he said for any formal solution, something concrete needs to be done.
