Benazir Bhutto questions Musharraf's commitment to war on terror

Updated at 11.44 AM

WASHINGTON: Questioning the commitment of President Pervez Musharraf to the war on terror, former Pakistan Prime Minister Banazir Bhutto has said the forthcoming elections are perhaps the only chance of the country staying away from the path of Talibanisation.

"The PPP (Pakistan People's Party of Bhutto) and I are worried that despite Gen Musharraf's declarations of support in the war against terrorism, the situation domestically in Pakistan is worse than it was following the events of 9/11," she said in an interview to 'The Washington Times'.

The religious parties, she said, "have risen to power for the first time in the country's history, suicide bombings have occurred, again for the first time in Pakistan's history.

Moreover, the then-defeated and demoralised Taliban have now re-established themselves in tribal areas of Pakistan.

Further, it appears that they have established a safe haven from where they collect taxes, dispense their form of justice and run an irregular army."

Elsewhere in Pakistan, more militias hiding under the name of madrassa have been established since 9/11, she said, adding the Jamia Hafsa madrassa in Islamabad is one example.

"It's frightening to think how many such hidden sleeper cells have been created since 9/11 housing armed persons who can take on the state at any time. The Islamabad madrassa, allied with a government-appointed cleric, is now threatening barbers, beauticians and the entertainment industry while the regime says it is helpless to act."

"The general elections of 2007 could turn out to be a last chance to save a moderate Pakistan from the creeping Talibanisation that is taking place," the self-exiled former Prime Minister said.

"If anything the years since 9/11 have demonstrated that a military regime is unsuccessful in undermining the forces of terrorism, extremism and militancy. In fact the PPP believes that it is democracy, alone which can undermine the forces of terrorism and extremism," Bhutto said.

She claimed that in 1993 Pakistan was about to be declared a terrorist state following the first attack on the World Trade Towers. "However, I was elected soon thereafter.

... my government stopped the spread of terrorism. After my overthrow, the terrorists regained the upper hand and planned the second attack on the World Trade Towers."

"There is absolutely no doubt amongst ordinary Pakistanis that we need to get rid of the extremists from our lands.

Replying to a question, Bhutto said "dictatorships such as the military regime currently in power in Pakistan suppress individual rights and freedoms and empower the most extreme elements of society. Governance is neglected and the political madrassas exploit this by promising three meals a day, food, clothing, shelter and education to economically disadvantaged groups. They then brainwash them into extremism."

"I believe that restoring democracy through free, fair, transparent and internationally supervised elections is the only way to return Pakistan to civilisation and marginalise the extremists. A democratic Pakistan, free from the yoke of military dictatorship, would cease to be the breeding ground for international terrorism. That is the only long-term solution," she said.

The PPP leader also slammed Musharraf for his so-called peace deals with tribal leaders in the North West Frontier Province. "I don't believe in signing 'peace deals' with terrorists. I believe they only embolden terrorists and allow them a breathing space to rest, rearm and re-engage. The PPP and I have made a commitment to the people of the tribal areas to provide them peace and security so that development can come to them and their children can get jobs."

At a time when there is a lot of speculation in the media on a so-called deal between Musharraf and Bhutto, the former Premier said that the Musharraf regime has sent feelers to opposition parties, including PPP, since it seized power.

"However, despite the passage of many years, the PPP and Gen Musharraf's team have failed to reach an understanding as yet on a transition to democracy.

I plan to return to Pakistan this year irrespective of whether there is an understanding or not. I realise that absent an understanding, I  run the risk of being arrested on fallacious charges. I plan to take on the challenges, knowing my life is dedicated to the restoration of democracy."

There is no difference of policy objectives with the West.

"With the resurgence of the Taliban along the border of Afghanistan, and the recent spread of extremists into more settled areas like Tank (in North West Frontier Province) and Islamabad, it is necessary that Pakistan do as much as it can to rid the country of hate-mongers. We have a common purpose in undermining the forces of terrorism," Bhutto argued.

Former Premier Nawaz Sharif's PML-N and the parties in the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy have committed themselves to fighting terrorism and building peace in the Charter for Democracy signed in the summer of 2006, she said.

"It would be easier for a democratically elected government led by the PPP to involve the people in building peace and fighting terror. The reason for America's unpopularity in Pakistan is that democratic development in Pakistan has rarely been a priority for the United States.

Ordinary Pakistanis feel alienated, and therefore we see rising anti-American sentiment in Pakistan. The US government must support democracy and give democracy time to flourish," she said.

"Elections in Pakistan would not be credible without the free participation of all personalities, including myself. It would certainly damage Gen Musharraf's standing if the elections are manipulated to deny the people of Pakistan the right to determine their own destiny through free and fair, internationally monitored general elections," Bhutto said.

"I am aware of the obstacles of injustice in participation in Pakistan today, but I believe it is my duty to take on the challenges the country faces and work toward the promise of democracy," she said.

Bhutto said that it would be an "honor" to serve the people of Pakistan as Prime Minister if given a chance and added that US President George W Bush "understands and supports" the call for free and fair elections.

"It would be an honor for me to serve the people of Pakistan as Prime Minister, were they to elect me to the office. My party and I have a popular base, we have the experience and the team. I believe we could tackle the problems of extremism, terrorism, poverty alleviation, lack of proper health and educational facilities through democracy.

In my view, democracy and development go together," she said.     

"From his visit to Pakistan and other public statements, I believe President Bush understands and supports the call for genuinely free and fair elections, which means an election run under the auspices of an impartial caretaker government, controlled and supervised by a truly independent election commission, open to the participation of all political parties and political party leaders, and monitored by robust teams of international observers watching both the voting and counting of ballots," Bhutto said.