WASHINGTON, Sept 15 Former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday denied saying that while he was in power, he allowed using US military aid to Pakistan to strengthen its defences against India.

In a statement issued in Philadelphia, Mr Musharraf said the issue highlighted by some Indian leaders and media was not even raised in the interview. The former president is currently in the United States on a lecture tour.

The Indian media reported on Monday that in an interview to a Pakistani television channel, Mr Musharraf acknowledged using US military aid meant to fight the extremists to strengthen Pakistan's defences against India.

“No question was asked regarding US funds for fighting the militants in this interview or at any other time,” he said. “I have never said Pakistan violated any agreement.”

Pakistan, he said, “never violated any agreement or miss-utilised US funds” for strengthening its defences against India.

“As far as the equipment issued to a military unit is concerned, the equipment moves wherever the unit is deployed,” he said. “The US at the time was aware of what we were doing.”