ISLAMABAD, Jan 10: Former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf said on Saturday he had not entered into any agreement with the United States to allow drone attacks inside Pakistan’s territory.

“There was no such agreement. There was no permission for outside forces to operate inside Pakistan,” he told reporters before embarking on a two-week lecture tour of the United States.

This is Pervez Musharraf’s second visit abroad since quitting the presidency. Last month he had visited the United Kingdom.

Mr Musharraf, who has been accused of allowing the US to conduct air strikes inside tribal areas, said only Pakistan’s armed forces had the authority to act in its territory.

In reply to a question, he said “Pakistan is capable of giving a tit-for-tat response” in case India went for surgical strikes.

“Before making any surgical strike, India must know that the people and armed forces of Pakistan are not cowards. Why should we not make surgical strikes too?

“We have maintained a deterrence force level. We are ready to use force if threatened,” he remarked.

The former president condemned the Mumbai attacks, but accused India of creating war hysteria. He called for addressing the root causes of terrorism.

“We need to address the menace of terrorism and extremism. We are a part of the global war on terror.”

Mr Musharraf called for resolving political disputes, saying that Kashmir and Palestine issues were ripe for resolution.

He parried a question on the performance and policies of the present government.

Opinion

Editorial

Petroleum subsidy
Updated 21 Mar, 2023

Petroleum subsidy

The govt seems more interested in reviving its political capital through ad hoc measures rather than fixing economy.
Country on edge
21 Mar, 2023

Country on edge

THE country is tearing itself apart. With politics being conducted with unprecedented venom and vitriol, there is...
Afghan funding cut
21 Mar, 2023

Afghan funding cut

AS the world grapples with multiple crises, the miseries of the people of Afghanistan seem to have been relegated to...
Trading for peace
Updated 20 Mar, 2023

Trading for peace

It remains to be seen whether the current army leadership pursues Bajwa doctrine for Pak-India peace or has other ideas.
A thrilling finish
20 Mar, 2023

A thrilling finish

IT was a Pakistan Super League final that had everything: thrills and spills, enthralling drama and a tantalisingly...
Covid-19 threat
20 Mar, 2023

Covid-19 threat

THE National Command and Operation Centre’s recent recommendation that people wear masks at crowded public places...