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Dawood Ibrahim is held in high esteem in Pakistan: Musharraf
November 16, 2011
London: In an exclusive interview to NDTV, General Parvez Musharraf has said that he cannot confirm whether underworld don Dawood Ibrahim is hiding in Pakistan. The former Pakistani president has also said that Mr Ibrahim, who tops India's most-wanted list, is held in 'high esteem' by many in his country.
"They think that he did a very good job... Because Indians killed 3,000 Gujaratis. In Gujarat they killed 3,000 Muslims. Therefore Dawood Ibrahim reacted. So he is held in high esteem. This is what happens in Pakistan," said the General, who was president of Pakistan for nine years.
India believes Mr Ibrahim masterminded the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai. Pakistani officials have always denied that Mr Ibrahim lives in Karachi, though he is widely known to own a huge house that is in a posh part of the city.
This is the first time that a Pakistani leader has acknowledged the possibility that Mr Ibrahim has been given refuge in the country.
Sources in the Home Ministry in India refused to comment on record on Mr Musharraf's startling comments. They say they continue to believe that Mr Ibrahim is based in Pakistan and uses multiple passports for international travel.
Former Home Secretary GK Pillai, however, said, "I think he (Musharraf) in one sense has betrayed himself by saying that Dawood was responsible for the attacks in India. That itself shows that the Pakistani establishment knew very well what they were doing."
Here is the transcript of the General Musharraf's comments on Mr Ibrahim:
Barkha Dutt: ...Dawood Ibrahim. LK Advani wrote in a blog that when he met you in Agra he brought up this issue and you got very angry and you said that "These are small things and they are not true." But do you understand General Musharraf the symbolism of what Dawood Ibrahim means to India? And it's widely been believed for so many years that Dawood Ibrahim has a house in Karachi. That the address is known to everybody. There's a Javed Miandad who has married into that family.
Musharraf: Ok, now you are talking about what the Indian perceptions are. But do you know what Pakistanis think of Dawood Ibrahim?
Barkha Dutt: What do they think?
Musharraf: They think that he did a very good job... Because Indians killed 3,000 Gujaratis. In Gujarat they killed 3,000 Muslims. Therefore Dawood Ibrahim reacted. So he is held in high esteem. This is what happens in Pakistan.
Barkha Dutt: But sir, should reaction be through violence and bomb blasts and terrorism?
Musharraf: Yes, it must not be. It must not be, no. I won't agree. I agree with you. It should not be. But things are not as simple. That is what I am trying to say. I think things are very complicated. They are not simple.
Barkha Dutt: But do you accept that Dawood Ibrahim is hidden in Pakistan?
Musharraf: I don't know. I don't know. I wouldn't be able to confirm that. I don't know it.
(General Pervez Musharraf has also spoken on Benazir Bhutto's assassination and the arrest that he could face on his return to Pakistan. Catch the full interview at 10 pm IST) on NDTV 24x7)
[video]http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/fromndtv/216210[/video]
Dawood Ibrahim is held in high esteem in Pakistan: Musharraf
November 16, 2011
London: In an exclusive interview to NDTV, General Parvez Musharraf has said that he cannot confirm whether underworld don Dawood Ibrahim is hiding in Pakistan. The former Pakistani president has also said that Mr Ibrahim, who tops India's most-wanted list, is held in 'high esteem' by many in his country.
"They think that he did a very good job... Because Indians killed 3,000 Gujaratis. In Gujarat they killed 3,000 Muslims. Therefore Dawood Ibrahim reacted. So he is held in high esteem. This is what happens in Pakistan," said the General, who was president of Pakistan for nine years.
India believes Mr Ibrahim masterminded the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai. Pakistani officials have always denied that Mr Ibrahim lives in Karachi, though he is widely known to own a huge house that is in a posh part of the city.
This is the first time that a Pakistani leader has acknowledged the possibility that Mr Ibrahim has been given refuge in the country.
Sources in the Home Ministry in India refused to comment on record on Mr Musharraf's startling comments. They say they continue to believe that Mr Ibrahim is based in Pakistan and uses multiple passports for international travel.
Former Home Secretary GK Pillai, however, said, "I think he (Musharraf) in one sense has betrayed himself by saying that Dawood was responsible for the attacks in India. That itself shows that the Pakistani establishment knew very well what they were doing."
Here is the transcript of the General Musharraf's comments on Mr Ibrahim:
Barkha Dutt: ...Dawood Ibrahim. LK Advani wrote in a blog that when he met you in Agra he brought up this issue and you got very angry and you said that "These are small things and they are not true." But do you understand General Musharraf the symbolism of what Dawood Ibrahim means to India? And it's widely been believed for so many years that Dawood Ibrahim has a house in Karachi. That the address is known to everybody. There's a Javed Miandad who has married into that family.
Musharraf: Ok, now you are talking about what the Indian perceptions are. But do you know what Pakistanis think of Dawood Ibrahim?
Barkha Dutt: What do they think?
Musharraf: They think that he did a very good job... Because Indians killed 3,000 Gujaratis. In Gujarat they killed 3,000 Muslims. Therefore Dawood Ibrahim reacted. So he is held in high esteem. This is what happens in Pakistan.
Barkha Dutt: But sir, should reaction be through violence and bomb blasts and terrorism?
Musharraf: Yes, it must not be. It must not be, no. I won't agree. I agree with you. It should not be. But things are not as simple. That is what I am trying to say. I think things are very complicated. They are not simple.
Barkha Dutt: But do you accept that Dawood Ibrahim is hidden in Pakistan?
Musharraf: I don't know. I don't know. I wouldn't be able to confirm that. I don't know it.
(General Pervez Musharraf has also spoken on Benazir Bhutto's assassination and the arrest that he could face on his return to Pakistan. Catch the full interview at 10 pm IST) on NDTV 24x7)
[video]http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/fromndtv/216210[/video]
Dawood Ibrahim is held in high esteem in Pakistan: Musharraf