U.S. aid was used on defence against India, says Musharraf

Pervez Musharraf

ISLAMABAD: The former President, Pervez Musharraf, has said the military aid the U.S. gave Pakistan for the war against terror during his tenure was used to strengthen defences against India.

Gen.(Retd.) Musharraf admitted that he had violated the rules governing the use of the military aid, but justified his action, saying he had “acted in the best interest of Pakistan.”

He did not want to compromise on Pakistan’s interests, he said.

In an interview to a news channel, he said he “did not care” whether the U.S. would be angered by his disclosure.

India and several influential lawmakers in the U.S. have been accusing Pakistan of having used the U.S. funds to strengthen its defences against India.

However, Pakistan has denied any wrongdoing.

Gen. (Retd.) Musharraf said that had he not supported the U.S. in the war on terror after the September, 2001 attacks, American forces could have entered Pakistan to capture its nuclear assets; it was also possible that the U.S. and India could have jointly attacked the country. — PTI