Bhutto ready to forgive and forget

WASHINGTON: Putting her bitter experiences behind, former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto has extended an olive branch to the beleaguered President Pervez Musharraf. But here is the catch.

She is willing to serve as premier under President Musharraf only if he steps down as Army chief. Asked if it’s a workable proposition, given the history of bad blood between the two, she said: “I think while General Musharraf and I have been on opposite sides of the pole where issues of dictatorship and democracy are concerned, we have both stated our determination to move Pakistan onto the path of moderation.”

Queried if under the right circumstances she could work with Musharraf, she said “if the people of Pakistan gave me a mandate, yes”.