Gilani explains how Musharraf allowed to leave country

Former Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday said that Pervez Musharraf was allowed to leave the country following negotiations with Establishment and the then Opposition in the country. Speaking to media persons at Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Sindh media cell here he said that PPP government did not launch an operation in North Waziristan during its tenure because of the then army chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani who had been insisting that a decision in that regard would have to be his sole prerogative.
"After the Swat operation, I had held meetings to start an action in North Waziristan, but the then army chief wanted to take such a decision by himself if he deemed it necessary," Gilani said. He said Kayani told him that the government should leave the matter with regard to the Waziristan operation to the army and that the army would itself set the date for any action. "This was the reason we did not insist and asked forces to make the decision on their own," Gilani said.
Since June 15, the military had been engaged in a major offensive against militants in North Waziristan. He claimed that the current government was violating the deal under which Pervez Musharraf tendered his resignation from president's office in exchange for a safe exit. The 'deal', he said, was struck between the PML-N, PPP and Establishment.
"The PML N government has started lodging new cases against Musharraf, which I think is not a good omen," he said. Gilani said there was no chance of any political change in the country during the coming months. He reiterated that PPP had adhered to the reconciliation policy of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto adding that it would not become a party to the plans of those who were seeking to undermine democracy.
Yousuf Gilani further said that Nawaz Sharif had himself led anti-government public rallies in the past and warned of opposition in case any undemocratic action was taken. The former premier said Imran Khan had a right to stage protests, adding that Khan and Nawaz should enjoy healthy relations. He said PPP would not support Imran's or any other party chief's unconstitutional step. Gilani also said that the PPP had restored the Constitution to its original form.