Pakistan should not 'hide' involvement in 26/11, says Musharraf

Pakistan should not make efforts to "hide" the involvement of its nationals in the Mumbai terror attacks, former President Pervez Musharraf has said, insisting that "we can't deceive the world".
    
"The issue is that the nation and the people should oppose terrorism. If any of our people are involved in whatever happened in Mumbai and it comes out in the open, we should not hide it," Musharraf told media-persons in Islamabad.
    
"We can't deceive the world. We should openly oppose terrorism and extremism," Musharraf said while replying to a
question on whether the Pakistan government was acting under pressure from the world community after the Mumbai incident.
    
"Pakistan is not a weak country, it is a nuclear and missile power. No one should have the mistaken impression that
Pakistan is weak," he said.
    
Islamabad last week said it had taken into custody six Pakistani nationals for their involvement in the Mumbai
attacks and acknowledged that part of the conspiracy behind the incident was hatched on Pakistani soil.
    
In a lighter vein, Musharraf indicated that he would continue to be a "tough guy" in dealing with India when he visited the neighbouring country next month to participate in the India Today conclave.Asked if he would continue his "tough guy" approach towards India, Musharraf laughed and replied, "I never believe in weakness I always speak frankly."
    
Musharraf said he would be the keynote speaker at the India Today conclave, which he described as "a very
prestigious get-together" of intellectuals.
    
"The conclave has been attended by former South African President Nelson Mandela, former US President Bill Clinton and other world leaders in the past. It is a matter of pride that I have been invited," he said, adding he would deliver a "frank talk" at the meet.
    
Asked if he planned to return to politics, Musharraf replied: "I am not doing that." Musharraf resigned as President in August last year to avoid impeachment by the Pakistan People's Party-led government. He has maintained a low profile since then.