LONDON, Aug 11: Describing PML’s acting president Javed Hashmi as the most tenacious of President Musharraf’s enemies, the Daily Telegraph on Saturday quoted him as saying that he would fight the regime until it is finished.

“But I will not stop until we are sure no other military regime can return in future,” Mr Hashmi said while talking to DT’s correspondent in Islamabad in an exclusive interview.

In the course of the interview Mr Hashmi asked: “When will the West see that when you damage democracy you give power to extremists?

“I was jailed under mutiny laws introduced by the British,” he said, chuckling.

The newspaper said Mr Hashmi represented one of the many forces massing against Gen Musharraf, who backed down from imposing a state of emergency earlier this week as he struggled to prolong his eight-year rule.

“The decision by the Supreme Court to free Mr Hashmi, a close ally of Nawaz Sharif, the exiled former prime minister, has bolstered political opposition to military rule.

“Gen Musharraf is beset by attacks by Islamic militants, growing secular opposition and the possible return of Benazir Bhutto, the leader of Pakistan’s most popular party.

“He faces a number of legal challenges to his authority since the chief justice, whom he had suspended in March, was reinstated last month.”