Musharraf "seriously objects" to comparison with dictators Mubarak, Gaddafi, Ben Ali

London, Mar 27(ANI): Former Pakistan military ruler Pervez Musharraf has objected to him being compared with the likes of Tunisia's Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and Egypt's Hosni Mubarak.

"I would like to seriously object to the comparison. I left peacefully through my own volition. So please don't compare me to those two," Time magazine quoted Musharraf, as saying in an exclusive interview.

When asked what advice he would give to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who has been clinging to power despite popular revolt against his regime, Musharraf said: "The will of the people should reign supreme. It's almost a civil war there. A political situation must be found."

Responding to another question, the former president said that he wanted to go back to Pakistan to provide good leadership that would free the country from the grip of religious extremists.

When asked how would be combat the rise of the religious right, Musharraf replied: "You have two choices: succumb to circumstances or do something. I know the people of Pakistan are moderate. It's unfortunate when the government itself and the leadership appease the religious groups and extremists by turning a blind eye."

The former general said that while he was very comfortable as he went "around the world lecturing, and they pay me well," he recognised that "there is a cause bigger than the self".

"I governed the country for nine years - successfully. So I don't have to reinvent the wheel. And I know Pakistan is suffering. I know there is a vacuum of leadership. Therefore the cause of Pakistan pulls me toward my destiny. Maybe it's a call of destiny much more for the nation than for myself," he added. (ANI)