Benazir says street protests to oust Musharraf can lead to martial law

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Benazir Bhutto has warned that street protests to oust President Pervez Musharraf could give him the opportunity to declare martial law in the country.

Lahore, Aug 6 : Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chief Benazir Bhutto has warned that street protests to oust President Pervez Musharraf could give him the opportunity to declare martial law in the country.

The former Prime Minister said that many of her party members were for launching street protests against Musharraf, and cautioned that such a step could backfire.

"I know there are people who feel we could get rid of (Musharraf) by coming onto the streets. But it's a double-edged sword. Coming out on the streets could give him a pretext for (declaring) an emergency or military rule," she said in an interview to the Newsweek.

On her negotiations with the government, Benazir said they have covered some points, but there are "others still to cover," including the steps to ensure that the forthcoming general elections are fair, and open to all political parties and leaders.

The issues relating to a Prime Minister seeking office for a third time; a balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister, and a level playing field for all political parties were also being negotiated, she added.

Benazir ruled out forming any alliance with the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), saying the PPP is uncomfortable associating with that party.

"Their (MMA) policies on extremism are ambiguous. The PPP wants the people of Pakistan to have a clear choice between the forces of the future and the forces of the past, between those who condemn extremism and those that don't," she added.

ANI