NEW YORK, Oct 19: Noting that “after belatedly recognising that the general’s (Pervez Musharraf) misrule was dangerously strengthening, not weakening, extremist forces in Pakistan, Washington helped engineer the deal that permitted Benazir Bhutto’s return,” the New York Times said on Friday. It said the US must now help her and Pakistan truly move towards democracy.

In the editorial, ‘Return of Benazir Bhutto,’ the Times says: “Ms Bhutto’s greatest challenge will be to redeem this tawdry trade-off (so-called ‘deal’) by using her popularity and skills to leverage this modest political opening into something resembling genuine democracy.

It said that her first step should be to insist that the parliamentary elections are open to all, including her long-time political rival Nawaz Sharif. “His previous tenure, like hers, was badly flawed. But they are Pakistan’s two most popular politicians, and without the participation of both of them there can be no Pakistani democracy”.

“Ms Bhutto got a swift and horrifying reminder of how close Pakistan is to the brink — and of what she’s up against — when explosions ripped through the crowds near her motorcade last night, killing scores of people”.

The newspaper observed: “It’s hard to see her return as a victory for democracy, especially since it is the result of a dubious deal with Gen Pervez Musharraf that grants him another five years in the presidency.

Nor is it a great triumph for the rule of law, since, in exchange for playing ball with the general, Ms Bhutto has been handed a convenient amnesty that wipes out serious corruption charges dating back to her years as prime minister. Without that protection, she would have risked possible imprisonment by returning home.”