Audio By Carbonatix
Nearly half of Pakistanis suspect that government agencies or government-linked politicians killed Bhutto, an opinion poll showed, highlighting the popular mistrust of the country's U.S.-allied president ahead of elections next month.
Benazir Bhutto's political party said it may work with Pakistan's president after elections next month despite the leader's apparent unpopularity and allegations elements within his government may have played a role in her death.
The comments highlight the fluid nature of Pakistani politics ahead of the polls, which the United States and other Western nations hope will usher in a period of stability as the country battles rising attacks by al-Qaeda and Taliban militants.
Bhutto's party and the other main opposition grouping have intensified their calls for President Pervez Musharraf to resign since Bhutto was assassinated on Dec. 27.
But a spokesman for Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party said "all options are open" when asked whether it would cooperate with Musharraf. "These are bridges which we will cross when they come," Farhatullah Babar said, echoing remarks reported in Pakistani media by Bhutto's husband, Asif Ali Zardari, now the de-facto head of the party.
Many analysts predict any cooperation between Musharraf and Bhutto's party would be short-lived and unstable, given likely opposition by the group's rank and file. But it would represent a match up of secular, moderate forces and, as such, could be welcomed by the United States and other Western nations.
Bhutto's party and the other major opposition grouping are expected to do well in the Feb. 18 parliamentary polls, but few analysts expect a single party will gain a majority. Opposition parties holding more than two-thirds of the seats can impeach the president, but this outcome is also seen as unlikely.
The polls, delayed for six weeks amid rioting triggered by the former prime minister's assassination, are seen as a key step in Pakistan's transition to democracy.
Bhutto was a secular politician popular in the U.S. and other Western countries for her opposition to hard-line Islam. The government has blamed her death on a prominent Taliban commander who had reportedly threatened to kill her.
SOURCE: ABC NEWS
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Kenkey and Seafood Charity Dinner to be held in aid of autistic children
11 minutes -
French ‘Doctor Death’ who poisoned patients jailed for life
13 minutes -
Electricity Tariffs, cost recovery, and public trust in Ghana: The hidden crisis in power sector sustainability
16 minutes -
Ofori-Atta has hired top U.S. lawyers to defend him against extradition request – AG reveals
34 minutes -
EOCO exceeds GH¢200m target, recovers record GH¢337.4m in 2025 – Dominic Ayine
46 minutes -
‘Nite with the Stars’ to shake Kumasi with electrifying music performances on Christmas Day
49 minutes -
KsTU constitutes panel to review GTEC directive, VC qualification petition
59 minutes -
Ghana recovers over $15m from international crypto fraud syndicate – Attorney General
1 hour -
Ghana to receive 300 new ISUZU buses to boost public transport, deputy transport minister confirms
1 hour -
Ghana High Commission hosts health workshop to promote staff wellbeing
1 hour -
AG formally requests extradition of Ofori-Atta, Ernest Akore to face charges
2 hours -
Ofori-Atta’s return to face justice now in US hands, says Ayine
2 hours -
Asenso-Boakye backs Accra–Kumasi Expressway but urges caution on the process
2 hours -
EU leaders face crunch decision on loaning Russia’s frozen cash to Ukraine
2 hours -
JoyBusiness Review 2025: GoldBod a ‘game changer’ for Ghana’s economy – Dalex Finance CEO
2 hours
