Musharraf calls himself ‘biggest supporter’ of LeT, Hafiz Saeed

Pakistan’s former President Pervez Musharraf has called himself the “biggest supporter” of the Lashkar-e- Taiba and its founder Hafiz Saeed and asserted that he backs the terror group’s role in “suppressing” the Indian Army in Kashmir.

Musharraf, the 74-year-old retired General who is on self-exile in Dubai, said Mumbai attack mastermind Saeed “is involved in Kashmir” and he supports their involvement.

Musharraf, who recently announced a ‘grand alliance’ of 23 political parties, also said he was always in favour of “action” in Jammu and Kashmir.

“They [LeT] are the biggest force. India got them declared as terrorists after partnering with the U.S. Yes, they [LeT] are involved in Kashmir but in Kashmir it is between us and India,” he told the ARY News.

Musharraf said he knew that he was also liked by the militant group and the Jammat-ud-Dawa, the group headed by Saeed in Pakistan.

The LeT was banned in Pakistan and the decision to ban the terror outfit in Pakistan was taken by the Musharraf government only.

When asked about it, Musharraf said he banned the terror group under “different circumstances” without elaborating further.

Musharraf’s comments came days after Saeed walked free following the Pakistan government’s decision against detaining him further. He was under house arrest since January last.

India had expressed outrage at the decision of the judicial board to release Saeed, calling it an attempt by Pakistan to mainstream proscribed terrorists and a reflection of its continuing support to non-state actors.

Musharraf is facing a slew of court cases after returning from five years of self-exile in Dubai to contest the general elections in 2013 which he lost.

Musharraf, who came to power in a bloodless coup in 1999, claimed that he was ready to face all charges as the courts are not under “Nawaz Sharif’s control anymore”.