Pakistan: A Tale of Two Ex-Prime Ministers

The two exiled former Prime Ministers of Pakistan seem to be vigorously working to promote their chances of returning to their country to participate in the General Elections promised by President General Pervez Musharraf in 2007-2008.

Benazir Bhutto has announced her determination to return to Pakistan ‘by the end of this year whether Mr Musharraf would like it or…not’ but sent the clearest signal yet that she expects to cut a deal with the military regime and become prime minister for a third time, reports The Times of India.

“Even as she continued to snipe at General Musharraf, Bhutto finally confirmed persistent speculation she would be prepared to work with her chief rival with the military ruler taking the president’s post and Bhutto that of prime minister.

“In a notionally fluffy yet significantly hard-edged interview to The Times London’s lifestyle correspondent, Bhutto said from her home in self-exile in Dubai that ‘a good working relationship between him (Musharraf) and me would be a necessity for Pakistan’.”

Meanwhile former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday urged army generals to choose between Pakistan and Gen Pervez Musharraf who, he alleged, was bent upon destroying the army as an institution, reports Pakistan’s Dawn.

“He said Gen Musharraf had committed an unpardonable offence because of which a deal with him was ‘unthinkable’. He said the country needed leaders, not dealers at this juncture. He said he would never cooperate with those who had violated the Constitution and people’s mandate (by overthrowing an elected government).”