My decision to appoint Musharraf as Army Chief was wrong: Sharif

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has admitted that his decision to appoint President Pervez Musharraf as Army Chief while ignoring three senior generals was wrong, saying that he should have gone by seniority.

Lahore, Dec 27 : Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has admitted that his decision to appoint President Pervez Musharraf as Army Chief while ignoring three senior generals was wrong, saying that he should have gone by seniority.

Sharif said that he had chosen Musharraf for the post because he wanted to appoint the senior most general, as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, adding that "one should never prefer juniors to seniors unless there is any serious problem with the latter".

He said that he was the first Pakistani premier to appear in person before the Supreme Court, and added that the people had misconceptions about his role regarding the judiciary.

Sharif said that he wanted all political parties to boycott the polls but former premier Benazir Bhutto did not agree to the boycott due to differences on the issue of the judiciary.

"Benazir said she will only support an independent judiciary and not the restoration of sacked judges," the Daily Times quoted Sharif, as saying.

Sharif claimed that his nomination papers had been rejected at Musharraf's behest, adding that it was an indication about rigging in the polls.

About speculations that he was a product of military ruler General Zia-ul-Haq, he said it was not the fault of a politician if he had started his political career during a military rule.

Sharif said that he had not supported or voted for the 8th Amendment introduced by General Zia in the Constitution, and added that he reversed many amendments brought in by military rulers.

ANI