LAHORE, Dec 26: Making a rare public appearance after leaving the presidency, Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf said here on Friday that India would not dare cast an evil eye on Pakistan as long as the armed forces were there to defend the country.

He was talking to reporters at the valima reception of a son of former foreign minister Khursheed Kasuri married to daughter of Industries Minister Mian Manzoor Wattoo.

He said that security of Pakistan was very dear to him and the armed forces were capable of defending the country.

The former president refused to take media questions on any other issue. “Better put this question to the president and prime minister,” he responded when asked to comment on the current political situation.

He came to the reception amid tight security and stayed there for a short time. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani also attended the reception but left before Gen (retd) Musharraf’s arrival.