Benazir asks Musharraf to undertake reforms soon to hold fair elections

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has said that she has staked her political future in holding talks with President Pervez Musharraf, and asked the General to undertake necessary reforms soon in order to hold free, fair and transparent elections.

New York, Aug 16 : Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has said that she has staked her political future in holding talks with President Pervez Musharraf, and asked the General to undertake necessary reforms soon in order to hold free, fair and transparent elections.

Speaking at the Council of Foreign Relations here, Bhutto said Musharraf should put in place the elements of an understanding on the issues of democracy and election within three weeks.

She reiterated that she would return to Pakistan before the end of the year and start a "movement for the restoration of democracy", and the rule of law.

Bhutto said that all political parties should contest elections, and stressed that exiled leaders like her and Nawaz Sharif should be allowed to rerun and contest elections.

Commenting on militancy in Pakistan, Bhutto said her government would never enter into an agreement with the Taliban, who were Afghans, or al Qaeda, which was made up of Arabs.

"We cannot placate these elements for the sovereignty and integrity of the nation is at stake," the Dawn quoted her, as saying.

Bhutto asserted that democracy was the real antidote to the scourge of terrorism, and urged that all US aid to Pakistan (which she said was in excess of 10 billion dollars) should be tied to the return of civilian rule.

She said the US should link any future American aid to the restoration of democracy in Pakistan, and called upon the European nations to make a long-term commitment to establish a democratic Pakistan.

ANI