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Allow exiled PMs to be part of Indo-Pak talks: Bhutto

Lodon, January 12
Appealing to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to allow both the exiled PMs to return home and be part of the Indo-Pak peace talks, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has said, “only after the restoration of a democratic process, a political consensus would lead to a durable peace process.”

“When the democratic process would be restored in Pakistan, only at that time would I be satisfied, that a political consensus would lead to a durable peace process, Benazir, who is currently in exile, told the BBC programme, Aapki Baat BBC Ke Saath, broadcast last night.

In this regard, I have appealed to the Musharraf regime to allow both the exiled former Prime Ministers to return to the country and be part of the peace process, so that the world can see this as a sincere effort of the army, civilian rule and people of all four states of Pakistan, and not merely as a tactical manoeuvre.

Asked whether the Musharraf regime could be trusted and whether it had the power to implement what it promised, the chief of Pakistan People’s Party said, “For Pakistan to be trusted internationally, there would have to be a political consensus internally.”

Even if today we were to say that a particular leader is sincere, he would not be there forever, and remember individual decisions are temporary, and not long-lasting.

I feel that the people of South Asia are not ready to be cheated once again. We have to seize this opportunity and have an internal political consensus on the peace efforts with India. — PTI