Make case for Afghan war, Musharraf urges

Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf yesterday challenged Britain and the US to make the case for keeping their troops in Afghanistan to defeat the Taliban.

Speaking as he launched a new political party, the ex-military ruler said the insurgents could be defeated but only if Western forces were not pulled out because of public pressure back home.

General Musharraf led Pakistan for nine years from 1999 after taking power in a military coup and now lives in exile in London.

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He said he intended to return to his country to lead his new All Pakistan Muslim League party, denying he faces charges of treason but accepting that he could be assassinated.

The former president criticised London and Washington for not explaining to voters why the West needs to be involved in the bloody war in Afghanistan, which has already claimed 338 British lives.

Gen Musharraf told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “There is a failure of leadership. Nobody is educating the people who are demanding their soldiers come back that this would be the worst decision. This will be a blunder.”