'Unperturbed' Musharraf vows to defend himself in Pak courts India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Unperturbed by the volley of cases being lodged against him for imposing emergency in the country in November 2007, former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said that he would defend himself in Pakistani courts. A private television channel quoted Musharraf, as saying that he was ready to face all charges leveled against him. Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Dr Nasim Ashraf, who is one of the close associates of Musharraf, also said that the former general has decided to defend his case in Pakistani courts. Ashraf also rejected media reports that Musharraf, who is currently on a lecture tour of the US , met Asif Ali Zardari in New York or Washington . It may be noted that media reports claimed that Musharraf and Zardari have held a secret meeting near New York . The News quoted sources, as saying Musharraf discussed various issues with Zardari during the meeting. Musharraf is also said to have discussed the name of the person who would succeed Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani. The would-be successor is said to be a confidant and loyalist of Musharraf and he could manipulate the situation to defuse the popular demand for Musharraf's trial and help the former dictator in his re-entry into power politics, the newspaper reported.