Only 93 people killed in Lal Masjid operation: Musharraf

Monday March 30, 2009 (0706 PST)

RAWALPINDI: Former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf left for China here on Friday. Talking to journalists before his departure at the airport, Musharraf said he was visiting China on the invitation of the Chinese government. He said during his 10-day visit he will deliver lectures in different universities of China. After completion of his visit to China, he will fly to Dubai. In response to questions raised by journalists, Musharraf rejected the news about the killing of hundreds of people in the Lal Masjid operation and termed such news baseless. He said only 93 people were killed in the operation. Musharraf said the Lal Masjid operation was carried out by the state. If any case was registered against him, then he would decide what to do, he added. He also rejected the allegations on the ISI and termed it fabricated and baseless. About drone attacks, General (r) Pervez Musharraf said on Sunday no outside party had any right to cross the border into Pakistan, adding serious notice must be taken of any such actions. Asked whether he would appear before court if he were tried under Article 6 of the constitution, he said: “We will cross that bridge when we come to it.” However, he refused to comment on the reinstatement of the sacked judges, saying it was the government’s decision. End.