Islamabad, Apr 5: Whatever Pakistan witnessed during the past eight years, i. e. after the October 1999 military coup, including President Pervez Musharraf going into the background was a result of a well-thought-out strategy, a close aide of Musharraf reportedly said this on strict condition of anonymity.

According to him, as per the original sketch, the martial law was to remain in force during the first three years of Musharraf’s rule, the following five years were to be under semi-martial law with the president doffing his uniform at its end, and in the last phase full democracy was to be restored by holding fair, free and transparent elections.

“It was decided a long time ago that Musharraf would take a backseat after the 2008 general elections and he has done so as per the plan. There is no shock for the president in the new milieu except for the defeat of the Pakistan Muslim League,” The News quoted the unnamed Mudharraf aide as saying.

"Things will take the natural course," he said and added that Musharraf had no plans to step down.

“Musharraf as president was to go in the background,” he added.

The aide said in the concluding phase, it was to be left to the winning politicians to manage and govern the country according to their own plans and policies. They, he said, were to set their priorities as per the aspirations of the 170 million people of Pakistan.

He said everything was executed as per the script although considerable disruption was caused by the judicial crisis, which also spawned an intense controversy over Musharraf's saying adieu to the military service.

The confidant said PPP Co-chairman Asif Zardari was working “more prudently and astutely” as compared to PML-N’s Nawaz Sharif, as he was trying to bury the hatchet with all and sundry.

The confidante said that the PPP had a different policy, as it knows that there would be a conflict and clash if Musharraf goes. At the same time, he said, it also faces international urging to work with Musharraf smoothly. (ANI)