WASHINGTON, Aug 29: A compromise between President Pervez Musharraf and former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif may offer the best chance to check extremism and mounting instability in Pakistan, says The Washington Post in a lead editorial published on Wednesday.

The paper notes that for eight years, Gen Musharraf has refused to come to terms with the country’s secular political parties, “preferring to perpetuate his regime through deals with Muslim extremists, rigged elections, rewrites of the Constitution and simple repression”. Now Gen Musharraf finds himself in the awkward position of negotiating with those parties to prevent his government from unravelling, the paper adds.

“None of the parties engaged in ongoing talks in London … are particularly attractive,” the Post observers but says that at this stage an understanding between them and President Musharraf will be good for the country. The paper claims that while professing commitment to the war against terrorism, Gen Musharraf has allowed Al Qaeda and the Taliban to re-establish themselves in Pakistan’s unruly tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. “He has been an unfaithful and at times meretricious ally of the United States, even while accepting some $10 billion in American aid.”

The Post notes that Ms Bhutto and Mr Sharif both are ‘two-time failures’ as prime ministers. “Both have been credibly accused of breathtaking acts of corruption; both have been unscrupulous in pursuing their personal ambitions.” But explaining why the US should support an alliance between them and Gen Musharraf, the paper says: “The three Pakistani leaders nevertheless are committed to a secular state in Pakistan and to cooperation with the United States, in contrast to the extremist Muslim parties rapidly gaining influence in the country, and possibly within the army.”

The paper notes that all three leaders claim to be committed to western-style democracy and freedoms, including rights for women. “Collectively, they have an opportunity to steer Pakistan back toward democracy, to marginalise the extremists and to intensify the battle against the Taliban and Al Qaeda.”

The Post also notes that the three leaders dislike each other and their ‘mutual loathing’ would seem to rule out any bargain, they do need each other. Gen Musharraf’s plan to arrange his re-election as president next month without stepping down as Chief of the Army Staff faces mounting legal and political obstacles, the paper adds. Even the Bush administration, which backs the general, stopped him from declaring a state of emergency or martial law last month.

“The general will probably need the help of Ms Bhutto and Mr Sharif -- whose parties are still the most popular in national polls -- if he is to remain president, even if he gives up his military post,” the paper adds. “They in turn want constitutional and legal changes that would allow them to serve again as prime minister and prevent their prosecution when they return home from exile.”

The paper concludes by saying that at best, Gen Musharraf will step down as army commander, oversee constitutional reforms and a free and fair election for parliament, and then present himself to the national and provincial legislatures, which choose the president, as a candidate.

“If he were elected, he would gain some of the legitimacy he now lacks. If not, he could retire with his reputation -- and Pakistan’s stability -- in better shape than it is now. Either way, it is time for the general to make a deal.”