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Bhutto calls on Musharraf to quit | Bhutto calls on Musharraf to quit |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Pakistan's detained opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has called for President Pervez Musharraf to step down. | Pakistan's detained opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has called for President Pervez Musharraf to step down. |
Ms Bhutto made the call after police mounted a massive security operation to prevent a protest march in Lahore, where she is under house arrest. | Ms Bhutto made the call after police mounted a massive security operation to prevent a protest march in Lahore, where she is under house arrest. |
It is the first time Ms Bhutto has urged Gen Musharraf to quit altogether. | It is the first time Ms Bhutto has urged Gen Musharraf to quit altogether. |
Pakistan's government says elections will proceed according to schedule in January, but critics say in present conditions they cannot be free or fair. | Pakistan's government says elections will proceed according to schedule in January, but critics say in present conditions they cannot be free or fair. |
Gen Musharraf attracted fierce international protest when he imposed emergency rule in Pakistan on 3 November, citing rising militancy and "interference" by the judiciary in the governance of the country. | Gen Musharraf attracted fierce international protest when he imposed emergency rule in Pakistan on 3 November, citing rising militancy and "interference" by the judiciary in the governance of the country. |
On Tuesday, police in Lahore imposed a seven-day detention order on Ms Bhutto, ahead of a planned "Long March for Democracy" to demand the end of emergency measures. | |
Bundled away | Bundled away |
Hundreds of activists were arrested in and around the eastern city as police strengthened the cordon around Ms Bhutto's home. | |
Vehicles, barbed wire and metal barriers surrounded the house where Ms Bhutto was staying, and thousands of police were deployed around the city. | |
If [Bhutto's supporters] try to take the law into their own hands, then we will resort to all means necessary Senior police officialLahore In pictures: Pakistan unrest Q&A: Pakistan's crisis | If [Bhutto's supporters] try to take the law into their own hands, then we will resort to all means necessary Senior police officialLahore In pictures: Pakistan unrest Q&A: Pakistan's crisis |
The former prime minister extended her previous demands for free elections and an end to emergency rule, and for the first time called for Gen Musharraf to quit. | |
In interviews with the BBC, she said the Pakistani people had lost confidence in Gen Musharraf's ability to steer the country towards democracy. | In interviews with the BBC, she said the Pakistani people had lost confidence in Gen Musharraf's ability to steer the country towards democracy. |
"It's time for him to leave," she said. "He has lost the confidence of the people of Pakistan... He is unable to give the nation a fair election... He is bent on maintaining and sustaining a dictatorship," she said. | |
She confirmed there were "no circumstances" in which she would serve as prime minister if Gen Musharraf remained president. | She confirmed there were "no circumstances" in which she would serve as prime minister if Gen Musharraf remained president. |
The BBC's Barbara Plett says this demand apparently marks a significant shift by Ms Bhutto, who has previously tried to negotiate a power-sharing deal with the president. | The BBC's Barbara Plett says this demand apparently marks a significant shift by Ms Bhutto, who has previously tried to negotiate a power-sharing deal with the president. |
Police blocked a main road near Benazir Bhutto's home in LahoreEnlarge Image | |
But, our correspondent cautions, it remains to be seen whether Ms Bhutto is simply expressing what she sees as the national mood or whether she is preparing for a united opposition campaign to oust the military leader. | But, our correspondent cautions, it remains to be seen whether Ms Bhutto is simply expressing what she sees as the national mood or whether she is preparing for a united opposition campaign to oust the military leader. |
Until now, other opposition forces have not united with Ms Bhutto - reflecting their suspicions that she is still dealing with Gen Musharraf. | |
Ms Bhutto said she still wanted the 270km (170-mile) march from Lahore to Islamabad to go ahead. | |
In Karachi, supporters of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) clashed with police in the Lyari market area near the city's port. | |
Police fired tear gas, while PPP supporters fired on a police station - though no-one was hurt. | |
PPP supporters were arrested in Karachi and in Ms Bhutto's home town of Larkana. | |
Elections 'on time' | Elections 'on time' |
Pakistan's Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rashid, defended the actions of the leadership, saying the planned march would put lives in danger. | Pakistan's Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rashid, defended the actions of the leadership, saying the planned march would put lives in danger. |
More than 140 people died in a suicide bomb attack on a welcome rally for Ms Bhutto on 18 October. | More than 140 people died in a suicide bomb attack on a welcome rally for Ms Bhutto on 18 October. |
Gen Musharraf has promised elections by 9 January | Gen Musharraf has promised elections by 9 January |
"We must be very responsible," Mr Rashid said. | "We must be very responsible," Mr Rashid said. |
The government has said elections will take place in January, as scheduled. | The government has said elections will take place in January, as scheduled. |
But given the emergency decree, campaigning would take place under severe restrictions, and opposition groups have complained this would not constitute free and fair elections. | But given the emergency decree, campaigning would take place under severe restrictions, and opposition groups have complained this would not constitute free and fair elections. |
Some may boycott the poll, correspondents say. | Some may boycott the poll, correspondents say. |
On Monday, the 53 members of the Commonwealth gave Pakistan 10 days to lift emergency rule or face suspension. | On Monday, the 53 members of the Commonwealth gave Pakistan 10 days to lift emergency rule or face suspension. |
As yet, Gen Musharraf shows little sign of backing down, says BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus. | As yet, Gen Musharraf shows little sign of backing down, says BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus. |
Until now, he reports, Washington's preferred option appeared to be an arranged "political marriage" between Ms Bhutto and Gen Musharraf - who President George Bush has identified as a key partner in the war on terror. | Until now, he reports, Washington's preferred option appeared to be an arranged "political marriage" between Ms Bhutto and Gen Musharraf - who President George Bush has identified as a key partner in the war on terror. |
But reports from Washington indicate that the Americans too are now losing patience with the general, our correspondent says. | But reports from Washington indicate that the Americans too are now losing patience with the general, our correspondent says. |