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Benazir for neutral regime

Larkana (Pakistan): The former Pakistan Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, on Monday called on President Pervez Musharraf to consult major parties before naming a caretaker government to be in charge until elections are held next year.

“This is how fair and free elections can be ensured,” Ms. Bhutto told reporters at the close of a three-day visit to her political stronghold in southern Pakistan.

Ms. Bhutto’s comments, broadcast by Pakistan’s Geo news channel, come ahead of an expected announcement this month by Gen. Musharraf on a caretaker administration to govern the country before parliamentary elections due by January.

Under the constitution, Gen. Musharraf must appoint the temporary government by the time the current term of Parliament expires November 15. None of its members would be eligible to contest seats in the vote.

Meanwhile, hundreds of civilians used a cease-fire between a pro-Taliban cleric and the government to flee a mountain valley where four days of fighting has killed at least 100 persons, said officials. Authorities sent some 2,500 extra police and troops into Swat district last Tuesday to tackle the followers of Maulana Fazlullah, a militant preacher who has setup a virtual mini-state.

Suspected pro-Taliban militants fired rockets at the U.S. Consulate General in Peshawar on Sunday as security forces were put on high-alert fearing attacks by suicide bombers. Local authorities said three rockets were fired but they missed the target and landed at a short distance away from the Consulate General. — AP, PTI

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