Pakistan risks being dismembered if Benazir returns as PM: Fazlur Rehman

National Assembly Opposition Leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman has warned that Pakistan faces the risk of being dismembered if Benazir Bhutto returns to the country to become its Prime Minister for a third time.

Islamabad, June 26 : National Assembly Opposition Leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman has warned that Pakistan faces the risk of being dismembered if Benazir Bhutto returns to the country to become its Prime Minister for a third time.

Addressing reporters in Nawabshah, Rehman was quoted by the Daily Times as saying that it would not be a good omen for the country if Bhutto became Prime Minister in the current scenario.

He also claimed that the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal would secure a thumping victory in the forthcoming general elections.

Earlier this month, Bhutto said that she is determined to come back to Pakistan even if the electoral process in the country gets delayed. Earlier, she had planned to return after the announcement of the election schedule.

So far, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairperson, living in self-imposed exile since 1997, has been saying that she will return to her country only after the announcement of the election schedule. Her supporters have said that she is thinking of a mid-September arrival.

"Benazir's return to Pakistan is no longer linked with the election schedule," the Dawn quoted a senior party leader, as saying.

Benazir performed Umrah and prayed for prosperity and stability of Pakistan because in coming months she may not have time to go on a religious journey, a party source said.

Benazir has directed party leaders at all levels to prepare themselves for the polls. She wants to keep the PPP ready for the polls before returning to Pakistan, so that her party wins the elections even if she is arrested, the source added.

The source said there was also a change in Benazir's attitude towards the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA).

Earlier, she was not ready for talks with the religious alliance at any cost. Now she is ready to send a PPP delegation to participate in the multi-party conference (MPC) being hosted by the Pakistan Muslim League - (Nawaz) in London in July, where the MMA leaders will also be present, the source said.

As such, it is now for the MMA to explore possibilities for Benazir's participation in the conference, the source added.

ANI