Elections were a trap to kill Benazir, says Mustafa Kar

Former Punjab Governor Malik Ghulam Mustafa Khar, who has been a close aide of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, has condemned the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, and said that she had become the victim of an election trap.

Lahore, Dec 28 : Former Punjab Governor Malik Ghulam Mustafa Khar, who has been a close aide of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, has condemned the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, and said that she had become the victim of an "election trap".

Khar, who left the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) after Benazir announced that she would participate in the coming elections, said he had repeatedly asked Benazir to beware of threats to her life ever since she had returned to the country on October 18.

Khar said he knew all along that the invitation to the elections was a trap for Benazir, which was why he was harsh to her on the boycott issue.

He said he asked Benazir not to comment on the Lal Masjid issue because the extremists and their supporters could retaliate against her word against them.

Khar said Benazir had been unwise in speaking against them without thinking about the repercussions of her words.

Khar has, in many press conferences since Benazir's return, commented on her participation in the elections.

After the first suicide attack on her, hours after her arrival in the country, Khar held a press conference at the Lahore Press Club in which he had said that she could be targeted again.

He had also predicted that the next attack on her would be in Punjab.

The Daily Times quoted Khar as saying that the country was in grave danger and the politicians should unite against dictatorship, especially after Benazir's "great sacrifice".

He expressed sorrow that the Bhutto family had been wiped off the political horizon "with a planned move".

ANI