Imran to join Bhutto in anti-Pervez drive

Imran Khan says he would launch a joint opposition campaign with Bhutto if she agreed to boycott elections.

Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan said on Tuesday he would launch a joint opposition campaign with Benazir Bhutto if she agreed to boycott elections.

HT Image

Bhutto, who was put under house arrest for a week on Tuesday to stop her leading a protest, phoned Khan and other political leaders opposed to President Pervez Musharraf's imposition of a state of emergency.

"I spoke to Benazir Bhutto today. She has talked about boycotting elections which is a welcome step," Khan told Geo television from an undisclosed location where he is in hiding after escaping house arrest.

Musharraf has promised elections by January 9 but opposition parties say they will be meaningless if held under emergency rule.

"We should all boycott these fraudulent elections under emergency rule and on this point we can run a joint campaign," Khan said.

"We should all agree that until courts are not restored to pre-emergency status, we should not take part in elections."

He added that there should be a "one-point agenda of opposition parties -- remove Musharraf."