Islamabad, Feb. 18 : The Pakistan Government has refuted claims of former President General Pervez Musharraf that the authorities are trying to weaken the Army and the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister Sherry Rehman categorically denied the charge by saying: "The Pakistan Army and ISI are important and strong institutions that have always co-operated with the government."

Rawalpindi, Feb 17 : The views expressed by former President Pervez Musharraf are tantamount to rubbing salt into the wounds of the nation because it is his dictatorship that pushed Pakistan towards political and constitutional anarchy.

Commenting on the press conference of Musharraf, PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal said on Geo TV's `Aaj Kamran Khan Ke Sath': "Pakistan had received 80 billion dollars since 2002, but no project was executed for development in the country but the money has vanished."

Islamabad, Feb 17 : Former President Pervez Musharraf has strongly rejected allegations levelled by the New York Times journalist, David E Sanger, saying such allegations are part of a malicious campaign to defame the Pakistan Army and the country's intelligence agencies.

"I never said to late Benazir Bhutto that her security was dependent upon her relations with me", he said at a press conference at the residence of his friend Brigadier
(retired) Niaz.

Islamabad  - Pakistan's former military ruler and president Pervez Musharraf on Monday condemned what he called propaganda against Pakistan's army and its prime Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), saying propaganda would harm international efforts against terrorism.

"If Pakistan's army or the ISI were weakened due to certain conspiracies, the international community would lose the war on terror," the former strong man told reporters while holding a cigar in a televised press talk and looking relaxed in his informal outfit.

Islamabad, Feb. 11 : Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has terminated the services of three ambassadors-at-large appointed during the previous Musharraf regime.

The shock announcement severs government ties with Sharifuddin Pirzada, Ahsanullah Khan and Hameed Kidwai.

Officials close to the Prime Minister''s Office told the Dawn, that the sackings reflect the government's resolve to purge the administration of the remnants of Musharraf era.

These officials had served the dictatorship, and therefore it was felt, could not be friends of democracy.

Lahore, Feb. 10 : Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has warned that the country will face more international pressure following the release of nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.

A private TV channel also quoted Musharraf as saying that he had tried to bring Pakistan and Israel closer during his rule.

He said India would have to pay a heavy price if it attacked nuclear-armed Pakistan, adding that any surgical strikes by India would be responded to appropriately.