Musharraf link-up a gamble for ambitious Bhutto

---

ISLAMABAD, Aug 20 (AFP): After nine years in the political wilderness Pakistan's former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has entered into a high-stakes political gamble by courting the country's beleaguered military ruler.
Bhutto secretly met General Pervez Musharraf in Abu Dhabi on July 27 to discuss a power-sharing arrangement, seen by the United States as a way to broaden the political support base of its key ally in the "war on terror."
A deal could lead to Bhutto's return to power-but failure would likely mean a continued stay in self-imposed exile.
Yet a deal with the general would also carry risks for the former premier, whose father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto founded Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and was hanged by a previous military ruler in 1979.
"This could fragment her party and jeopardise her future political prospects," political analyst Hasan Askari told the news agency.
"She is relying on the United States card hoping that American influence on Musharraf will facilitate her return to Pakistan and perhaps a share in power."
The general faces opposition from his political allies in the heartland province of Punjab to any agreement with the PPP ahead of a general election due this year.
Askari said Musharraf would not need the PPP's vote to get elected president from the current parliament, whose tenure expires on November 15.
"Musharraf only wants her party to stay aloof from the opposition when the presidential election takes place sometime between September 15 and October 15. Once he has crossed that bar he will play tough game with her," Askari predicted.
Bhutto became Pakistan's first woman prime minister after military dictator Zia-ul-Haq died in plane crash in 1988. She had led her party to victory in elections and rose to power in a deal with the powerful military establishment.