World | Updated Nov 13, 2007 at 12:28pm IST

Imran Khan spills the beans on Mush, Jemima

New Delhi: Cricketer-turned-politician Imran khan says Benazir Bhutto would rank among the “Trojan horse politicians” of Pakistan. In an exclusive interview with CNN-IBN over the phone from an undisclosed location in Pakistan, Khan said Benazir was siding with Musharraf in order to get the corruption cases against her quashed.

Accusing Benazir of indulging in a mock fight with General Pervez Musharraf, Khan said Benazir and the authorities would go through the motions of pretending they are in opposite camps. He also said people of Pakistan had seen through them and soon, there would be a nationwide movement to restore democracy.

“This is what we call Mura Kushti in Urdu - you know, mock fighting. It’s all posturing. The workers will be confined by the police, there will be few arrests and people will be arrested. Later on in the evening, they will be released. Benazir has to do a lot of making up after having done a power-sharing deal with Musharraf to get off her corruption charges. Now I am afraid she has to pretend to the people that she is not with Musharraf,” Khan said.

Khan, Chairman of Pakistan’s Tehrik-e-Insaaf party, said he shares a special bond with ex-wife Jemima Khan and is in constant touch with her.

“We'll always remain friends, there's obviously a close bond between us. She is the mother of my children. Similarly, I am the father of her children. As a result, she feels very strongly about what is happening and is doing everything she can. She is very active, and yes, she is in touch with me,” he said.

Khan also told CNN-IBN he's shocked at US President George Bush’s support to General Musharraf.

“I am really shocked by George Bush's statement when he says that he's standing behind Musharraf and he wants Benazir to do a power-sharing deal with him. Firstly, it is shocking because there is a blatant outside interference in trying to impose some sort of government on Pakistan. Secondly, there is no consideration for 160 million people,” he said.

Khan — who is in hiding — also said the people of Pakistan are actually helping him to remain underground.

“I don't stay in one place, more than one night. But it’s very easy because everyone hates Musharraf. The entire population is so very anti-Musharraf they want a change,” he said.

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