PPP will not support a military ruler, says Benazir

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has said that she will not support a military ruler, and would not compromise on democratic norms.

Dubai, Aug 31 : Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has said that she will not support a military ruler, and would not compromise on democratic norms.

"If we wanted to strike a deal with a military government, it could have been done earlier. But it is not our motive. We want free and fair elections," Bhutto said.

She said that her party would deal with the Musharraf regime only as a transitory power, otherwise it would not make any deal with it.

"We haven't reached any agreement with the government and we want democracy and rights for the people of Pakistan," she added.

Bhutto told The Guardian that Musharraf had agreed to drop corruption charges against her, Asif Ali Zardari and dozens of other lawmakers in a general amnesty covering the period from 1988 to 1999.

"A lot of progress has been made, particularly on the uniform issue. But it's for Musharraf to make an announcement," she said.

Bhutto said she would return to Pakistan after planning out a strategy so that in case there was no deal and she was arrested, the party could still function and perform in general elections.

Bhutto expressed her happiness over Nawaz Sharif's decision to return to Pakistan on September 10.

She said she had no competition with Sharif and was not jealous of him.

ANI