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Bhutto launches poll manifesto

The former Pakistan PM, however, says she was taking part in the polls "under protest" and could still review her party's position.

Updated on: Dec 1, 2007, 02:31:24 IST
PTI | By , Islamabad
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Former Pakistan Premier Benazir Bhutto on Friday unveiled a populist election manifesto, the first by a political party in the run-up to the January 8 polls, as the opposition appeared divided on whether to boycott the exercise being held under the "civilian" President Pervez Musharraf.

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HT Image



54-year-old Bhutto, however, said she was taking part in the polls "under protest" and could still review her party's position 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)," she told a news conference, where she released her party's populist manifesto that emphasised on five 'e's education, employment, energy, environment and equality.



"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-e Islami, said it would boycott the polls if President Pervez Musharraf did not reinstate deposed judges of the 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.

  • Rezaul H Laskar
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    Rezaul H Laskar

    Rezaul H Laskar is the Foreign Affairs Editor at Hindustan Times. His interests include movies and music.

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