NEW YORK, Oct 2: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said she believes former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has a role in a future political setup in Pakistan.
In an interview to the New York Post, Ms Rice also said that the United States is pressing President Gen Pervez Musharraf “very hard” to allow for free and fair elections.
Asked whether there was a place for former Pakistani premier and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in any new political mix, Ms Rice said: “Well, I don’t see why not.”
Reminded of corruption charges Ms Bhutto had faced previously, Ms Rice said: “There needs to be a contested parliamentary system, but whether or not she is able to overcome that and whether Pakistanis are willing to allow that is really up to them.”
She singled out parliamentary elections due early 2008 as a critical test of the Musharraf administration’s commitment to democratic principles.
Ms Rice said this weekend’s presidential election and the parliamentary elections due by January were “very important political events.” And the parliamentary elections, in particular, are going to be a real test of the willingness of the government to allow for free and fair elections.
Re: Benazir has role in future set-up: Condoleezza Rice
At least you have accepted half the truth. I have said millions times and I say it again. It is military ruler who always call the shots. In 1971 military dictator was responsible for the breakup because he had the absolute power. West Pakis particularly Punjabis and Muhajirs did not want Bengalis to rule Pakistan, all political leaders including ZAB was instrumental to then military junta. This time also a military dictator is responsible for giving full amnesty to corrupt politicians encouraging more corruption in future. The foundation of corruption and evils lie under the military dictatorship who has the absolute power. Keep this in your mind.
Re: Benazir has role in future set-up: Condoleezza Rice
......West Pakis particularly Punjabis and Muhajirs did not want Bengalis to rule Pakistan.......
Dunno bout Punjabis or Urdus not wanting Bengalis. You ever wonder what Bengalis wanted?
Just see what they did to their Banga Buddhu? They killed him, and every man, woman, child, grand child etc. etc. in his whole extended family.
Only one of Buddhu's daughter survived! you know how? she was out of the f'ing Sonar Bangla at the time of Bengali rule.
Farid Ji! you know during Pak army rule Sh. Mujib was a leader sometimes in jail, and sometimes free, but at least he was a leader and best of all "Alive"!
The same Sh. Mujib was quickly turned into a pile of minced meat as soon as he was grabbed by Bengalis.
Just read some history piayray! Don't just mouth off the made up $hite!
Re: Benazir has role in future set-up: Condoleezza Rice
Condi is right that BB has a role in the future of Pakistan.
The best role for BB is to do something good after retiring soon from active politics. She has been the PM for 2 times. Nuf is nuf! Let some other pipliay or jiala taste the fruit. BB has enough money to set up 5 world class universities in 5 regions (Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, Sarhad, and AK). Name them Bhutto University and take care of next generation.
The same goes for NS. Man these Bhudday Baabays and Maaees need to go. We are tired of seeing you over and over and over and over......
Re: Benazir has role in future set-up: Condoleezza Rice
Please tell that to army walas.
Nobody has to tell army walas. They are regularly retired and get replaced by younger officers. No wonder army as an institution has thrived over the years.
Pak Politicians on the other hand never retire. They just go on and on and on beating their drums like energizer bunny. Younger politicians are not being allowed to replace the babas and maees. That's why political institutions are suffering from lack of fresh ideas and new blood.
Re: Benazir has role in future set-up: Condoleezza Rice
^ anti they do get replaced by their offsprings only and only once they are dead!! ;) eg, BB from bhutto, Asfandyarwali in case of Wali khan, fazlurahman of madoodi,
shujat husain from zahoor elahi, umer ayub from gahar ayub from ayub khan, bara ganja > chota ganja > ....
one thing in common they try outmost to keep it in the family! for this they hang on to it until they die.
Re: Benazir has role in future set-up: Condoleezza Rice
votes or no votes…we’ve got a winner here…BB… prolly one of the many reasons why mushy is granting amnesty to BB on all the corruption charges.
Re: Benazir has role in future set-up: Condoleezza Rice
Right after 9/11, this condi rice was caught shopping for shoes. So she is absolutely the right authority to decide who will own pakistanis, run pakistan and enjoy.
Not to forget - bb and condi can give each other shoes and lipstick, while musharaf runs around wagging his tail.
There's atleast one progress. All these edicts used to come from bush, now obviously pakistan has been demoted and dictated to by cundi rice.
And wonder who will give orders to kiyani. He has already met with rice and press reports he is 'workable' with.
Is pakistan a country of people with any shame or just a wasteland with beigherats!
Re: Benazir has role in future set-up: Condoleezza Rice
That is not the point I am discussing here. I know paki history very well. Mujib should have given power as he won majority of the seats, instead military action was started killing thousands and thousands of Bengalis, looting banks, raping Bengalis girls was totally disgusting and uncalled for which ultimately resulted in break up.
Killing by own people does not justify not handing over power to Shaikh Mujib which was the later event. Do you know, in the history how many leaders have been killed by their own people? JF Kenedy, ZAB, Zia-ul-Haq, Indra Gandhi....
okay !
prolly one of the many reasons why mushy is granting amnesty to BB on all the corruption charges.
