MUZAFFARABAD, Feb 5: President Gen Pervez Musharraf invoked a verse from the holy Quran on Tuesday to claim divine authority for his rule.

His remarks appeared aimed at countering criticism of a crackdown on extremist groups launched last month.

“I tell these people, who have become the custodians of Islam or who think that they understand Islam better, that it is Almighty God who gives honour or authority to anybody,” Gen Musharraf said in an address to the AJK Legislative Assembly.

“This is our faith that God almighty gives honour to whoever He wants and snatches honour from whoever He wants. If this is our faith then God Almighty has brought me to this position.

“This position, this authority has been bestowed by God and as long as I hold this authority, and whatever work I am doing with full responsibility, all Pakistanis should have confidence in that because this is our faith,” Gen Musharraf said.—Reuters