Pervez Musharraf talks about relation between Pakistan and Kashmir

Kashmir is in the blood of the Pakistani nation and the country and the army will stand by the Kashmiri people "no matter what," the ailing former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has asserted, as he returned to active politics. General (retd) Musharraf, now based in Dubai, also referred to Kargil conflict and alleged that India was repeatedly threatening Pakistan despite Islamabad's peace overtures.

"Perhaps, the Indian armyhas forgotten the Kargil war," he said, claiming that India had to seekthe US president's help in ending the conflict in 1999.

The 76-year-old All PakistanMuslim League (APML) Chairman made the remarks while addressing party workerson the APML's founding day in Islamabad via telephone from Dubai on Sunday. Hetook a break from political activities last year because of his deterioratinghealth.

Kashmir is in the blood ofPakistani nation, the former president said, in probably his first publiccomments since the worsening of relations between India and Pakistan after theIndian government revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5.

"We will continue to standby our Kashmiri brethren no matter what," he said, adding that thePakistani nation and Pakistan Army will fight till the last drop of theirblood," Musharraf quoted.

He said that Pakistan's desirefor peace should not be seen as weakness, adding, the Pakistan armed forces areready to give a "befitting response to any Indian misadventure."

Pakistan downgraded diplomaticties with New Delhi and expelled the Indian High Commissioner. India hasasserted that the abrogation of Article 370 was its "internalmatter". India has also asked Pakistan to accept the reality and stop itsanti-India rhetoric.

Musharraf also criticized Indianpoliticians and military commanders for ramping up tensions between the twonuclear-armed neighbors with their "irresponsible statements."

Musharraf has been living in Dubai since March 2016 is facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007, a punishable offense for which he was indicted in 2014. A conviction for high treason carries the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, has been declared a fugitive in the Benazir Bhutto assassination and the Red Mosque cleric killing cases.