ISLAMABAD, Sept 19: Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto said on Tuesday she was surprised that President Pervez Musharraf would seek re-election while still donning his uniform and said her party might quit parliament if he did not take steps to restore democracy.

“But he has not quite done this ... I was quite surprised to hear that he is going to retire as army chief in November,” Ms Bhutto told Reuters in a telephone interview.

“The Pakistan People’s Party wants to support Gen Musharraf if he takes the country towards democracy but we do not want to bail out a military dictatorship,” she said.

Ms Bhutto said her party could not support the notion of a military president.

“We are not going to compromise on our democratic principles. We want democracy in its true spirit. If it is done through negotiations, good. If we can’t get in through negotiations than we will exert pressure through the public.” She said her support for President Musharraf would hinge on him accepting proposals she had made, including immunity from prosecution for civilians who ruled between 1988 and 1999 and the lifting of a ban on a prime minister serving a third term.

“If he doesn’t do it then the Pakistan People’s Party ... will consider resigning from parliament,” she said.

“I think General Musharraf should hear the voice of the people and move towards true democracy.”—Reuters