Time running out for Musharraf to reach understanding with opposition: Benazir

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has said time is running out for the Government to reach an understanding with the opposition.

Washington, Aug 9 : Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has said time is running out for the Government to reach an understanding with the opposition.

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

Her statement comes in the wake of confusing statements emanating from the Pakistan presidency.

If President Pervez Musharraf seeks re-election before the general elections, the PPP may resign from Parliament, or boycott elections altogether, the Daily Times quoted Benazir, as saying.

"And of course, there is the whole issue of the (presidential) re-election from the present assembly. I think that is an issue that is probably going to end up in the courts," she said.

She further said that negotiations between the PPP and Musharraf's regime has so far yielded no concrete results.

"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 having the uniform blurs the distinction between military rule and a civil role," Benazir said.

Commenting on the judicial system of Pakistan, Benazir said that after Musharraf's dismissal of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was overturned, Pakistani courts are more assertive and independent.

ANI