Musharraf reaching out to Bhutto

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is reaching out to former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto despite the fact that he blames the exiled politician for the country's economic and political woes, a media report said on Monday.

Musharraf is in desperate need for moderate allies to help him shore up his pro-western government in the face of rising extremist attacks, the Newsweek magazine said quoting western diplomats.

Ironically, they might make a perfect match, they said adding personal issues aside, both politicians share a liberal, secular outlook.

<b1>A Musharraf-Bhutto alliance could increase political stability and energise Pakistan's moderates prior to elections later this year, it added.

"Musharraf would likely hold onto the presidency, adding some democratic credentials, and Bhutto would be allowed to return home and perhaps even play a hand in selecting the new Prime Minister," it said.

First Published: Mar 05, 2007 13:14 IST