LAHORE, Nov 16: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Benazir Bhutto on Friday rejected the caretaker government headed by Mohammedmian Soomro and said people who had been sworn in under the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) had betrayed the people and the Constitution.

“The caretaker government is an extension of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League. We do not accept it,” Ms Bhutto told a news conference at Senator Latif Khosa’s residence here on Friday.

She also ruled out any possibility of resuming dialogue with General Pervez Musharraf and hinted that her party might decide to boycott the elections.

She said that resumption of talks with President Musharraf would harm her campaign and reduce the possibility of transparent elections, adding that she could not talk to a person who did not keep his word. “We cannot hold further talks with Gen Musharraf … it may harm our democratic movement.” The entire focus, she said, should now be to work out an exit strategy for Gen Musharraf.

“There is no time left for starting a new dialogue. Instead, the general should step down and hand over power to a neutral government of national consensus for organising fair and transparent elections. I don’t see transparent elections with the present caretaker set-up in place.”

“To ensure free and fair elections, local governments … should be suspended, election commission reconstituted, the state of emergency withdrawn and the Constitution restored, and Gen Musharraf resign as army chief and president,” the former prime minister said.

Ms Bhutto said there was consensus among all opposition parties that elections under emergency should be boycotted. “We (the PPP) are also considering this option and will take a decision after consultation with party leaders.”

She said: “I fail to understand why (Gen) Musharraf is not resigning as all political parties, civil society groups, students, lawyers, human right activists do not want to see him any more.”

About US Deputy Secretary States John Negroponte’s visit to Islamabad, she said she had no information and had not received any message that he was coming for a reconciliation between her and Gen Musharraf. “These are just press reports … just rumours.”

She said she would meet Mr Negroponte to discuss an exit strategy for Gen Musharraf. “I will ask him to use his visit to advise Gen Musharraf to restore democracy and hold free elections.”

Ms Bhutto warned the West that “somebody may look moderate and sell his package to them. But the West should also think about its interests because its interest lies in a democratic Pakistan. I have been telling the western media that we need a regime change in Pakistan. Otherwise the Taliban and Al Qaeda would regroup. My predictions are proving true.”

Referring to contacts with other opposition parties for forming an anti-Musharraf coalition, she said she had spoken to Nawaz Sharif, Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Asfandyar Wali, Hasil Bizenjo, Attaullah Mengal and Hayee Baloch.

“There are difficulties,” she confessed. “But I would adopt a step-by-step approach to unite the opposition ... This cannot be done in just one day. But … I believe they are our strength.” She said she had spoken to Mr Sharif for two hours and told him that the day was not far off when he would also return home.

She said she did not want to impose her opinion on them, or their opinion to be imposed on the PPP. “We should all respect each other to achieve the common goal ... Hard work is required … and I will do that hard work. Difficulties are there but I would overcome them. I also want cooperation from the civil society. All should sit together to put in place a coalition. I have also talked to Ms Asma Jehangir (chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan). All can work for Pakistan under the umbrella of democracy,” she said.

The PPP leader said she was advised “not to come to Lahore because a suicide bomber would hit me. They say we have arrested you to save you from the suicide attack. I ask a question if you want to prevent suicide attacks why don’t you arrest the terrorists. They say we do not know who they are. That amounts to encouraging the terrorists. If we are to fight terrorists, save lives of citizens, then we would have to identify supporters of extremists. Because it is the supporters who encourage them, and then they get them killed. This must end now. This game is being played with the fate of Pakistan”.

She said she was not afraid of sacrificing her life for the country. “You have to make sacrifices to save your country.” She said she would decide to hold another ‘long march’ after consulting other PPP leaders.

She called upon the masses to come out on the streets to save the country. “…I appeal to people to come out and side with me in my efforts to save this country.”

Citing unrest in Swat and tribal areas, she said Pakistan’s flag was no more seen in these areas which had been taken over by extremists. “They armymen (there) are being slaughtered ... Unless the army is depoliticised, people are not ready to accept it as an impartial institution,” she warned.