Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf vowed on Thursday to face justice and not flrr his country.

Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf vowed on Thursday to face justice and not flrr his country.

It is the first interview since Musharraf was placed under house arrest eight months ago. He has faced a range of criminal cases dating back to his 1999-2008 rule after returning to Pakistan from self-imposed exile in March, including the murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

He has been granted bail in the four main cases against him but remains under guard at his farmhouse on the edge of the capital Islamabad because of threats by Taliban to his life.

"I will face all cases... I will not run away," he told Pakistan's private ARY television in an interview.
There have been persistent rumors that a deal would be struck to allow Musharraf to leave the country without standing trial to avoid a clash between the government and the all-powerful military.

But aides to the former commando have said he wants to stay and clear his name of all the charges against him.

So far the cases have proceeded slowly, edging from adjournment to adjournment with little clear progress apart from the granting of bail.
In November the government announced it would put the 70-year-old on trial for high treason and he has been ordered to appear before a special court on December 24.

It will be the first time in Pakistan's history that a former military ruler will face trial for treason.
Musharraf said Thursday that he was ready to face the trial.

"These are all fraud (fraudulent) cases which lack any substantial evidence," he said.

"I will inshallah (God willing) get out of this pressure because I am pretty sure I did not commit any wrong thing... whatever I did was for the betterment and welfare of Pakistan and its people."

When asked if he thinks the present government will complete its tenure, Musharraf said: "My good wishes are with them if they promote good governance.
I will support (Prime Minister) Nawaz Sharif if he does any good for the country."