Because if you are talking about India-Pakistan, Indians had moved all their forces against Kargil and there was (as a result) weakness elsewhere. So, we knew what the Indian forces are capable (of) and what we are capable (of) ... the situation was very favourable in Kargil, in Kashmir and on the entire border. We were capable of responding to any Indian action.'

According to Musharraf, then prime minister Nawaz Sharif - subsequently overthrown in a coup later that year - had asked for his opinion on a ceasefire. But he said the decision had to be Sharif's.

'Those are the decisions of the prime minister. What kind of pressure he can sustain and what is the political picture. He knows it better. I only talk of the military side and I told him there's no problem on the military side.'

Musharraf also admitted for the first time that he and assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had a secret understanding before she returned to Pakistan from her exile.

'There was an understanding. I did talk to her, yes. I had been talking to her twice. She was not supposed to come back before the elections.'

He said Bhutto could have been alive today had she not broken that understanding. 'I think so. I think so. Absolutely. She would have lived.'

While he said he did not regret the sacking of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry in 2007 - which led to the lawyer's movement and ultimately his resignation - Musharraf admitted that the handling was 'shabby'.

He made it clear that he was prepared to fight any legal cases brought against him. 'One has to face realities on (the) ground and I will face them. I am not a man who runs away from realities. Let them bring law suits and (try to) prove anything against me.'

When asked if another military takeover was likely in the light of the current fragile political situation, Musharraf refused to rule it out, stating, 'No comment'.

'(The) army has to ensure the integrity, territorial integrity and security, of Pakistan. So it's entirely the army's decision and the chief's decision. But (so far) they go along with the government. I don't want to comment. These are sensitive issues,' said Musharraf.