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Benazir says she is yet to get a response from Musharraf regime

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party leader Benazir Bhutto said on Saturday she had presented a “comprehensive package” to the government but had not got a response yet to her proposals. She said she was leaving open a large window for the two sides to reach an understanding.

Addressing a press conference in London, Ms. Bhutto did not say a single critical word about Gen. Musharraf, but took a swipe at fellow opposition leader Nawaz Sharif, without mentioning his name, by saying she did not leave the country under any “deal” with the government guaranteed by a foreign country.

Ms. Bhutto also showed she was keen to keep a door open to Mr. Sharif by insisting that their joint Alliance for Restoration of Democracy was still intact, though the Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader, who is set to return to Pakistan on September 10, has already pronounced it dead.

Ms. Bhutto said the talks with the regime appeared to have snagged on the balance of powers between President and Parliament, and certain issues regarding the Prime Minister.

Ms. Bhutto said the PPP was committed to the restoration of democracy in Pakistan and was concerned that militancy and extremism were getting an upper hand, and about the unity and integrity of the country.

Despite division within the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Q) on President Musharraf’s uniform issue, the party’s top leadership has told him it would be a bad idea for him to step down as army chief before the elections, as he would be left with no cards in his hand thereafter.

Meanwhile, the legal community, which led a robust agitation for the restoration of the Chief Justice, has announced that it would launch “phase 2” of its movement for the restoration of democracy, with a protest demonstration against the Musharraf-Benazir talks on Sunday, and against Gen. Musharraf’s planned re-election, in front of the Supreme Court.

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