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Bhutto 'ultimatum to Musharraf' Bhutto 'close to Musharraf deal'
(about 5 hours later)
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has given President Musharraf 48 hours to respond to her demands for a power-sharing deal, media reports say. Former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto says she is close to reaching a deal to share power with President Musharraf.
The embattled military ruler is seeking support for presidential elections that would give him another five-year term. The embattled military ruler is seeking support for presidential elections that could give him another five-year term.
But his options have narrowed after a series of Supreme Court decisions. But he is under pressure to reach a deal with the opposition after several Supreme Court rulings went against him.
Ms Bhutto wants a clear statement the general will resign as army chief of staff before year end, some say before a presidential vote due in the autumn. Ms Bhutto told the BBC that most issues had been resolved, but an agreement had not been finalised. She wants a clear statement he will resign as army chief.
She also wants a pledge to remove legal obstacles currently preventing her from becoming prime minister for a third time, and the removal of corruption cases against her.
Uniform offUniform off
She also wants a pledge to remove legal obstacles currently preventing her from becoming prime minister. Ms Bhutto was speaking to the BBC's Urdu service after weeks of mounting speculation that a deal was being worked on.
Beginning of the end? Exiled PM to returnBeginning of the end? Exiled PM to return
The railways minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, told reporters on Wednesday that the deal was 80% done. "We are still negotiating. There are so many things we have agreed upon," she said.
He said the crucial issue over Gen Musharraf's dual role as president and army chief had been resolved. "But it's not been finalised so I can't go into details."
Ms Bhutto made a similar comment to a British newspaper, although neither she nor Mr Ahmed elaborated. She said she hoped General Musharraf would make a decision to stand down as head of the army "according to the wishes of the Pakistani people".
Until now Gen Musharraf has said he will abide by the constitution when it comes to his dual role as president and army chief. "And the people of Pakistan want him to get rid of his uniform."
Some say this means he will take off his uniform by year's end. Earlier, Pakistan's railways minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, told reporters the deal was "80% done".
But Ms Bhutto wants a public declaration. So why has she upped the ante now? He said the crucial issue over Gen Musharraf's dual role as president and army chief had been resolved, but did not elaborate.
Until now Gen Musharraf has said he will abide by the constitution when it comes to the dual role.
Some say this means he will take off the uniform before the end of the year, some say before presidential elections in autumn, reports the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad.
The crucial thing for Ms Bhutto is that he publicly announce his intentions because right now she is losing support by negotiating with the military ruler, our correspondent says.
DefectionsDefections
Analysts say she was alarmed by the Supreme Court's decision last week allowing the exiled opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif, to return to Pakistan, perhaps as early as next month. Analysts say Ms Bhutto was alarmed by the Supreme Court's decision last week allowing the other exiled opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif, to return to Pakistan, perhaps as early as next month.
Mr Sharif has gained much support for opposing army rule and vowing to force President Musharraf out of office.Mr Sharif has gained much support for opposing army rule and vowing to force President Musharraf out of office.
Ms Bhutto on the other hand has been losing public support by negotiating with the general. It is not clear whether the military leader can accept Ms Bhutto's demands.
It is not clear whether the military leader can accept her demands.
At the moment he has enough votes in parliament to win another five-year term.At the moment he has enough votes in parliament to win another five-year term.
But there are growing defections from the ruling party and crucially, the Supreme Court might rule that his re-election from existing assemblies is unconstitutional. But there are growing defections from the ruling party and the emboldened Supreme Court might yet rule that his re-election from existing assemblies is unconstitutional.