Mush admits US tried to broker deal with Benazir

New Delhi: Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday admitted that the US indeed tried to broker a deal with Pakistan People's Party leader and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and him in the runup to the Presidential elections.

In what could be his last interview as General, Musharraf said he will doff military uniform by November 15 after getting re-elected in the presidential election on October 6.

In a special interview to private Geo TV channel, Gen Musharraf said that he wants the PPP to play a key role in curbing extremism in Pakistan. He said the general elections in Pakistan will be held after two months from November 15 after the existing Assemblies complete their terms.

There are also reports that said the embattled Musharraf might decide to share power with former Bhutto's party if it bags adequate seats in the upcoming General Elections.

Quoting an unnamed Cabinet Minister, media reports said Gen Musharraf has told the ministers that he would not hesitate to share power with Benazir Bhutto, if she gains enough seats to be part of a government of national consensus.

Mellowing down on political opponents, Gen Musharraf said he now wants to withdraw the cases against Nawaz Sharif and leaders of other political parties. On Tuesday the President had granted general amnesty to Bhutto and many other Opposition leaders by issuing the National Reconciliation Ordinance.

Gen Musharraf ruled out any difference of opinion between him and General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani, who was designated the new Army Chief to take over after Musharraf steps down from the post.

Meanwhile, Bhutto said in London that the power-sharing talks with Gen Musharraf were 'totally stalled' as her party met to consider resigning from Parliament. Bhutto, who plans to return to Pakistan on October 18 after eight years of exile, accused the military leader of failing to deliver on promises of a return to democracy.

She said the PPP, the largest Opposition faction, would decide at the talks in London whether to resign from Parliament and provincial Assembles which are expected on Saturday to re-elect Gen Musharraf as President. "The PPP is not in the business of saving military dictatorships. We want to save democracy," Bhutto, 54, said.

"Either today or tomorrow we are taking the decision whether, prior to the presidential elections, we should resign from the assemblies in protest at the inability of the Musharraf government to move towards the restoration of democracy in Pakistan," she said.

(With agency reports)