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The Interview/ Pervez Musharraf

'People are dying in Kashmir. I can't go happy, smiling and grinning to meet all the Indian leaders'

Will deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif be hanged if found guilty as charged? General Pervez Musharraf has not given it a thought yet. Better relations with India? Not before the core issue of Kashmir is resolved. A referendum? Not yet. Plans to handover power to civil authorities? Not before the military government puts a judicious system in place.

In a wide-ranging interview with Time magazine, the chief executive of Pakistan spoke his mind about the trial and the fate of the ousted premier, relations with India and the role of Islam and the army in the state..

He has not thought about whether he will implement the death penalty if Sharif gets one, but he is not vindictive towards him, he said. The former premier is being prosecuted for air piracy rather than corruption because these are legal issues which are taking their normal course.

''I am not interfering at all. Nothing is hidden. If there are some people who start to sympathise with him, let it happen,'' the general said. He described the former prime minister's complaint of being tortured mentally in custody as non-sense. ''If he thinks he is under mental torture, he must be feeling very guilty about whatever he has done. He is living quite comfortable. The trial is open. The press is there.''

When asked about the political system that will replace the democratic structure that his coup ended, the general said: ''I would like to move away from the sham democracy we have had in Pakistan. I want a true democracy at the grassroots level, where people can govern themselves. I intend to devolve power from the centre to the provinces and from the provinces to the districts. Members of the national assembly were doling out funds and controlling people's destinies. I'll change that.''

On the possibility of amending the Constitution, he said: I haven't decided as yet. It depends on whether it would benefit Pakistan. Any consideration of changes will be done on the recommendation of a constitutional committee. Change will not come about arbitrarily.

Following are excerpts from the interview that will appear in the magazine's latest issue:

Will the armed forces have a permanent role in government?

They have always played a role because they are the only stable institution in Pakistan. My priority is devolution of power. Let's stabilise the democratic institutions in the country first.

How long will your honeymoon last? will you have a referendum?

When we are delivering, when there is better governance, when there is justice for the poor, economic advancement, provincial harmony, the people will see and the honeymoon will continue. But I am not considering a referendum at the moment.

What role should Islam have in Pakistan?

My view is of a tolerant Islam, and not an Islam which is manipulated for political gains. I am a believer in taking Islam in its real, progressive form a broader futuristic view rather than a dogmatic and retrogressive one.

How do you hope to normalise relations with india?

Kashmir is the core issue. We have fought wars over it, and every day th ere is an exchange of fire along the Line of Control. We have to resolve all our issues with India. That is the only way this region can progress economically.

But can we do anything without progress on Kashmir?

No, it is just not realistic.

Given the impasse of the past 52 years, is a new approach necessary?

If you mean to put Kashmir aside, how can you do that? People are dying in Kashmir, and I go happy and smiling and grinning to meet all the Indian leaders? I am not like that. I can't do that. If there is some tension in my heart, it is on my face.

The United States is the only major western power that has not come out strongly against the military takeover. Will Pakistan respond positively to US concerns in the region?

I am grateful to President Clinton and the United States for the very realistic stand they have taken. On the nuclear issue, I would surely consider signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. But first we need to develop a national consensus.

What if Clinton bypasses Pakistan on his planned South Asian visit because you haven't restored democracy?

By coming here, he would have a positive impact. Sidelining Pakistan would be counter-productive. The people of Pakistan would be terribly disappointed, and his absence would give leverage to the extremists here. I would really be disappointed.

UNI

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