LAHORE, Pakistan — Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto demanded the resignation of U.S.-backed President Gen. Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday, dashing Western hopes that the two moderate leaders would form an alliance to confront Islamic extremists.
Bhutto, just placed under house arrest for the second time since her return from exile, said she was working to forge a partnership with Nawaz Sharif, the man overthrown as prime minister in a 1999 coup by Musharraf and currently in exile in Saudi Arabia.
Her call, which could see Pakistan’s two main opposition parties joining, raised a new threat for Musharraf, a key U.S. ally who faces growing pressure at home and abroad to end the emergency rule declared earlier this month and restore democracy.
It further complicated matters for Washington, which has criticized Musharraf’s recent crackdown on dissent but sees him as a dependable partner in the fight against al-Qaida. A senior U.S. envoy headed to Pakistan later this week was expected to reiterate the U.S. calls for an end to emergency rule, which has led to thousands of arrests and a clampdown on the media.
The White House said it still hoped Pakistan’s “moderate elements” could unite, but Bhutto said she would no longer try to work with Musharraf.
“The international community needs to decide whether it will go with one man or the people of Pakistan,” Bhutto said from the Lahore house where she is being held.
“I’m calling for General Musharraf to step down, to quit, to leave, to end martial law.” Musharraf has defended emergency rule as needed to curb political unrest that he says is hampering the government’s fight against Taliban- and al-Qaida-linked militants.
Critics call his move outright martial law since authorities now have unchecked power to detain opponents and military courts can try civilians for treason.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
