Bhutto unveils PPP's election manifesto

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan Premier Benazir Bhutto on Friday launched her party's manifesto for the January 8 general election promising greater social unpliftment, but said she was taking part in the polls "under protest" and could still review the stand if the opposition jointly agreed on a boycott.

"We are preparing for the polls and asking people to come forward to support the PPP (Pakistan People's Party)," Bhutto told a news conference, where she released her party's populist manifesto that emphasised on five 'e's  education,employment, energy, environment and equality.
    
However, she said the PPP was taking part in the polls 'under protest' and "not giving legitimacy" to the elections. "We can review our position if the opposition unites and jointly agrees on a common goal or agenda after discussions."

Bhutto's comments came here a day after All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) an opposition alliance that includes ex-Premier Nawaz Sharif's PML-N and hardline Jamaat-eIslami, said it would boycott the polls if President Pervez Musharraf did not reinstate deposed judges of Supreme Court.

The APDM has set up a committee headed by Sharif to convince Bhutto to join the boycott, but she said she had not yet been contacted by the alliance for discussions.
   
"Out of respect for all leaders of the APDM, I feel we should meet and discuss these issues. They should not stake out their positions before we have met and held discussions," Bhutto said.
    
PML-N spokesman Ahsan Iqbal said APDM wanted polls to be held on the terms of "democratic forces, the Constitution and rule of law" and not according to the "terms of a military dictator".

Once the alliance completed its discussions with other opposition parties, it would become clear who "stood with the military dictator and who stood with the rule of law", Iqbal told Dawn News channel.
   
Bhutto was also non-committal on Sharif's demand for the restoration of the pre-emergency Supreme Court and reinstatement of deposed judges. "If there is democracy, other issues like that of the judges can be tackled," she said.

She said the steps taken by President Pervez Musharraf, like giving up the post of Army Chief and taking oath as a civilian head of state are "important confidence-building measures".

"Positive steps have been taken," Bhutto said. But more needs to be done to ensure the transition to civilian democracy, she added.
   
"All the recent developments had seemed impossible some time ago but they have happened due to pressure and sacrifices by the PPP, lawyers, media, judges, civil society," she said, adding Musharraf had deviated from a roadmap for democracy drawn up during her negotiations with him earlier this year.
    
Though the talks had ended when Musharraf imposed emergency on November 3, Bhutto said she had differences with him over the issue of the President having the power to dismiss the elected Prime minister and Parliament. This, she said, had led to the failure of democracy in 1990s and could set Pakistan for "another spell of martial law".
   
Condemn the arrest of lawyers, judges and rights activists, she said: "Police should maintain law and order and catch Osama bin Laden, Mullah Omar and those carrying out bomb attacks. It is not their job to arrest lawyers and judges."

Unveiling her party's manifesto, Bhutto said if her party came to power, it would launch a public works programme whereby one member of the poorest families would be guaranteed employment for a year.
   
Madrassas would be modernised so that they did not become "arms dumps" or places where people are taught to fight against non-Muslims, she said.

Bhutto said she would also take steps to improve energy generation by focussing on hydro-electric power.
   
She criticised what she called the "corporate military business empire", saying units set up to rehabilitate retired armed forces personnel should not have access to subsidies.