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| Benazir`s clandestine deal with Musharraf to pave way for her return to Pak | | |
Karachi, Oct 14: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and President General Pervez Musharraf have worked out a deal ahead of next year's general elections, according to which Benazir will be allowed to return to Pakistan without any fear of arrest.
According to the Daily Times, General Musharraf has apparently agreed to provide the Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) with an even playing field in next year's electoral contest to the extent that Benazir Bhutto may "vigorously" canvass for her candidates.
Musharraf had previously ruled out the possibility of allowing Benazir Bhutto to contest the elections.
Sources said now Musharraf was even contemplating allowing Benazir to contest the elections and has given his consent to 'mediators' for her return to Pakistan by June next year.
Insiders say the relentless criticism from the West for not allowing democracy to take roots in a meaningful way by marginalising the mainstream forces in Pakistan, was a factor responsible for the Musharraf?s regime entering into a clandestine deal with Benazir, more so since she had scored points with the international community by voicing opinions on the Women's Bill in the recent.
The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) has however castigated Benazir for the purported deal.
"Benazir's dialogue with Musharraf's advisers and aides is a clear violation of the Charter of Democracy that she has signed. If we start negotiations with Musharraf to bail him out from different kinds of pressures about the fresh parliamentary elections, in reality we would be trapped again. It would be he who would be the real beneficiary because he would be securing legitimacy from those who have been refusing it since long," The Nation quoted a PML (N) leader as saying.
He said the opposition parties, which are keen to increase cooperation with the PPP, are in no position to block it from continuing talks with the government in order to cut a deal unless they themselves realise the disastrous effect of this process. |
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