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.
"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.