Musharraf in uniform is non-negotiable: Benazir

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has said that the issue of President Pervez Musharraf continuing in uniform is non-negotiable, and if he wants to reach a political accommodation with the opposition, he must relinquish charge as army chief.

Washington, Aug.8 : Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has said that the issue of President Pervez Musharraf continuing in uniform is non-negotiable, and if he wants to reach a political accommodation with the opposition, he must relinquish charge as army chief.

"The uniform is not negotiable. It is something that is not constitutionally permissible, and it is not negotiable because the whole country is against it, and PPP has spent its whole life fighting to make a distinction between democratic government and military government. And having the uniform blurs the distinction between military rule and a civil role," she said in an exclusive interview with the Voice of America (VOA).

Bhutto also warned that time is running out for both sides to reach some kind of an agreement.

Speaking by telephone, Bhutto said that negotiations between her Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) and President Musharraf's government have yielded no concrete results insofar as a return to civilian rule was concerned.

"One thing is certain, that time is running out for General Musharraf's side to reach some kind of an accommodation with the opposition," said Bhutto.

"And, unless they can come up with upfront gestures I think it is going to be very difficult, given that nothing has happened since the process began," she added.

Bhutto also described the corruption charges against her as politically motivated.

Parliamentary and presidential elections are to be held sometime in the next few months in Pakistan. Which comes first is at issue.

An electoral college made up of the national parliament and the four provincial assemblies elects the president. General Musharraf and his allies have control of the current parliament, which would virtually reassure his reelection. But the opposition says the next president has to be chosen by the next parliament and assemblies.

Bhutto noted that Pakistani courts are becoming more assertive and independent after General Musharraf's dismissal of the Supreme Court's chief justice.

Bhutto said if Musharraf seeks reelection before general elections are held, her party might resign from parliament or boycott elections.

ANI