By IANS,
London : Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf is expected to criticise warm US-India ties on a 40-day lecture tour of the US beginning Tuesday, a British newspaper reported Thursday.
Musharraf, who has been living in London while facing legal action in Pakistan for unlawfully declaring Emergency rule in 2007, said he will seek to redress Pakistan’s poor international image.
“Pakistan is a most misunderstood country. I enjoy the opportunity to clear up misperceptions,” he told The Guardian newspaper.
The paper said in particular the former dictator is expected to be critical of Washington’s close ties with India – reflecting a view widely held in Pakistani military circles.
It said some journalists have dubbed him Pakistan’s “army ambassador” to London.
Musharraf’s 16 lectures are being organised by the Harry Walker Agency, whose others speakers include former US vice president Dick Cheney.
His audiences will include members of the Young President’s Organisation, a forum for aspiring American leaders.
Musharraf has been living in a three-bedroom apartment in an Arab quarter in London since June.
His main political opponent, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif whom Musharraf ousted in a 1999 coup, is attempting to sue him for treason – an offence that carries the death penalty.
However, the former dictator told The Guardian: “I am not in exile.”