Bhutto’s challenge to a desperate Musharraf

Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf’s grip on power grew more precarious this week when the leading opposition leader, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, called on him to resign and began seeking an alliance with the general’s other political opp

What happened

Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf’s grip on power grew more precarious this week when the leading opposition leader, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, called on him to resign and began seeking an alliance with the general’s other political opponents. Bhutto publicly called off negotiations to share power with Musharraf after he placed her under house arrest and rounded up thousands of her supporters to prevent a mass rally for democracy. Tensions in the country have been rising to a fever pitch since Musharraf—who also serves as president—suspended the constitution, disbanded the Supreme Court, and declared emergency rule two weeks ago. “Pakistan and Musharraf cannot coexist,” Bhutto said. “He must go. My dialogue with him is over.”

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