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Submitted by ctv_en_1 on Sun, 12/02/2007 - 15:40
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto took her election campaign to the power base of Islamist groups on Saturday, urging Pashtun people living on the Afghan border to vote for her.

Ms Bhutto, who survived an assassination attempt blamed on Islamist militants last month, said she was confident her Pakistan People's Party would sweep the January 8 general election.


She also wants the Election Commission reconstituted and local government leaders suspended to ensure a fair vote. She has left open the option of joining another former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, who returned from exile last Sunday, in a boycott.


Ms Bhutto returned to Pakistan last month from an eight-year self-imposed exile to challenge President Pervez Musharraf's grip on power. Musharraf's political allies are likely to fare badly in the election, putting a question mark over his long-term rule.


Mr Musharraf retired from the army this week and promised to lift emergency rule on December 16, fulfilling two of Ms Bhutto's demands. But there are no signs they are resuming dialogue.

 

VOVNews/Reuters

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