LAHORE: Former president Pervez Musharraf has warned that the army might have to intervene again in politics, if the country continues to decline.
Speaking exclusively to Sky News from his new home in the UAE, Musharraf said “Pakistan may be forced to take matters into their own hands – which could include working with the Taliban – if it continues to feel alienated by the rest of the world”. “There is no bar against me going back to Pakistan. But the conditions have to be right,” he told Sky News.
Musharraf said the country was in a terrible state – with its economy in crisis, high unemployment, mass discontent and terrorists on its soil. Musharraf said the army might still have to play a role in determining the future leadership.
“You have to remember, in Pakistan, the armed forces play a very big and important role,” he said. “It is strong and well-administered and wherever there is turmoil, the people run to the army. I have always been of the opinion the army should have a role in the constitution, so it can voice its opinion and influence what happens in the country. The whole world thinks that is politicising the army. It isn’t.”
But he added that the army chief always had the quandary of upholding national security, ensuring the survival of the state, as well as balancing that against upholding democracy. “This is the question that arises. And the army is in between. The army is the saviour. The army can save the state. It cannot save democracy.”
