Exclusive Bhutto interview

OPINION:

After nearly a decade of self-imposed exile, former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto returns home tomorrow (hopefully) and presumably to help restore democracy and contain the growing insurgency both in the northwest frontier and Pakistan’s cities. After the hotly contested election of President Pervez Musharraf, the future of Pakistan very much hangs in the balance. The following is an exclusive interview with the former prime minister just prior to her return.

Q. Mrs Bhutto, assuming you and President Musharraf can agree on an acceptable powersharing arrangement, how do you propose advancing your agenda of restoring democracy beyond the symbolism of that agreement and your return home?

A. First, let me clarify that Gen. Musharraf and I are not working on a “power sharing” arrangement, as it is made out to be. National elections are due to take place early next year, which, if allowed by the regime, will determine which party or parties will come into power. The Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) dialogue with the regime is aimed at an effective and a peaceful transition to democracy. And the first step toward that is a free and fair election.

In order to advance our democracy agenda, I believe that we need to mobilize the “moderate middle” to stand up to fanaticism. At its core, Pakistan aspires to be an inherently democratic nation. Pakistanis have suffered military rule for too many years now and the public longs for peace and stability. I also believe that for democracy to really succeed and to put an end to extremism, we need to attack its root cause. The solution lies in focusing on the elemental needs that matter most to ordinary people: food, clothing, shelter, jobs and education. My party and I will rebuild civil society and set up infrastructure for providing education and livelihood at grass-roots levels, so that the country’s youth can take part in building a strong economy.

Q. How do you intend to take on the pro-Taliban and radical Islamic movements in the Northwest territories, urban areas, madrassas, mosques and within your own intelligence services?

A. I believe that the absence of political parties causes a vacuum that the extremists fill. The breakdown of the rule of law in North and South Waziristan and in other sections of the Federally Administrated Tribal Area (FATA); is a direct consequence of the Islamabad’s history of appeasement of the forces of terrorism. The key to successfully controlling fanaticism in the border areas is to make citizens aware of the dangers that extremists pose and to build a groundswell of support for the government, so that Pakistan can control the militants.

I have moved the Supreme Court of Pakistan to allow political parties to function in FATA. We should recall that both PPP governments, from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996, aggressively administered these territories, and purged them of the most egregious drug barons that formed an international drug cartel. We will once again have open interactions with their constituencies, learn what they need to improve their lives and then to work toward developing policies that deliver those needs. Fostering a better level of trust and understanding among the people in the border areas, and delivering on their key needs, is the key to improving our security situation.

Q. If President Musharraf does not honor your agreement, how do you expect to advance your agenda?

A. I sincerely hope that Gen. Musharraf will listen to the public outcry and the people’s desire for legitimate presidential, parliamentary and ministerial elections. However, if he chooses to continue tampering with the constitution, he will face a fresh confrontation with the judiciary, the legal community and the political parties. The PPP will, however, continue to fight for what it believes in: democracy and civil rights.

Q. Critics question that after nearly a decade of exile, you may not understand how much Pakistan has changed nor appreciate the key issues that must be addressed. How do you respond?

A. I would ask those people to look at the challenges that Pakistan faces today versus those that I tackled 10 years ago. While many things have changed in Pakistan, things tragically have also reverted back to what I saw in my first years as prime minister. For example, al Qaeda replaced drug barons in the tribal regions — but the result is the same: terrorism and lawlessness. In 1993, Pakistan was on the brink of being declared a terrorist nation following the first attack on the World Trade Center. Then I was re-elected as the prime minister and I worked hard to mobilize the people of my country to fight terrorism. Soon Pakistan became one of the 10 top emerging capital markets of the world. And while I have been in self-exile for eight years, I remain in close contact with the people and well aware of the issues through my party on the ground.

Q. Within your party, how do you deal with those opposed to any deal with a dictator in order to maintain enough popular support to implement your agenda?

A. I am well aware that some in Pakistan have questioned the dialogue I have engaged in with Gen. Musharraf. But I believe that the solution to the current crisis is a political one - and that dialogue is the only basis for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Our dialogue with the regime is for a peaceful transition to democracy - to ensure that there are fair and free elections in Pakistan, pursuant to the Constitution, supervised by a robust team of international monitors and observers, as quickly as possible. My goal is to save democracy in Pakistan, to give democracy a chance to nurture and grow and strengthen.

Q. Finally, many of us worry about your safety and security when you return. What can you say to ease our worries?

A. I have been told that there is a threat to my life if I go back. But I must tell those who would hurt me that I will not be intimidated. I do not fear the extremists, for I have put my fate in the hands of the people of Pakistan, and my faith in God.