With Pakistan facing immense pressure to act against the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks, former President Musharraf has asked the world to "sympathise" with the country which is a "victim of circumstances," instead of blaming it for terrorism.
"We have been a victim of terrorism, we have been a victim of circumstances over the last three decades for which a certain atmosphere has been created," said the former military ruler during whose tenure Pakistan became a key ally in the US-led war on terror.
Musharraf said Pakistan had contributed a lot to the war against terror and the world should appreciate its contribution rather than blaming it all the time.
"The world should see our problems and what we have faced. We have contributed so much towards anti-terrorism war and the world should really appreciate that and sympathise with us, instead of blaming us," he said.
International pressure is mounting on Islamabad to take "effective" action after the Mumbai terror attacks, believed to have been carried out by Pakistan-based elements.
The former President, who had to concede power to democratic parties after elections in the country early this year, said it was "unfortunate" that fingers are pointed at Pakistan "very often" and advocated that Islamabad take a strong stand against this.
"Pakistan is unfortunately blamed very often and we should take a strong stand on this. Pakistan is not responsible for terrorism anywhere in the world," he told ARY Television.
His comments came against the backdrop of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telling the leadership here that there is "irrefutable evidence" of involvement of elements in Pakistan in the Mumbai attacks and it had no option but to act urgently "otherwise, the US will act."
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