I am being held hostage, says Benazir

London: The Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) in Pakistan is all set to embark on a "remove President Musharraf" campaign from Monday.

With the Commonwealth also turning the heat on Musharraf, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Benazir Bhutto has suddenly catapulted back to the centre stage of Pakistan's political chess game.

Gulf News caught up with the exiled prime minister for an exclusive interview. Excerpts:

On the Commonwealth's initiative to restore democracy in Pakistan and whether the country is ready for elections:

The Commonwealth has played a critical role in promoting democracy in Pakistan. Unfortunately, the military always manages to sabotage the democratic system. It wants to continue its grip on power.

The military regime wants to be seen as the bulwark against chaos and anarchy, but tragically it ends up creating these very conditions.

Some people say that democracy should come in phases. But I don't believe that because the military governs by controlling judiciary and civil society?you cannot have gradual democratisation.

On reports suggesting she has struck a deal with Musharraf for national reconciliation:

I am glad somebody asked this question. Because on frequent intervals I read in the newspapers that Musharraf's emissaries are coming to meet me. And nobody comes.

The fact is that not once has any one approached me. I am willing to negotiate, but it depends on what the plan is. So far the offer is that I should remain out of the country, that I should not even return to campaign for my party, that I should not contest the next election.

If I don't agree to these things, they will ruin me, they will ruin my family, they will take away my liberty and property ... that's not a plan, that's a threat.

I have never got a reconciliation plan. He tells our party leaders to remove Benazir and we will talk to you. Do we ever say, remove Musharraf and we will talk to you.

On her plans to return to Pakistan:

Whether the regime allows me to contest or not, I am definitely going back, not because I want to become prime minister. I have already been prime minister twice. I want to go back because I have a commitment towards the people of Pakistan.

On corruption charges against her:

They are all concocted. In any case, corruption is not a justification to overthrow governments. As the Monica Lewinsky case has shown, a president can be investigated during his tenure. They said I bought a palace in Surrey from graft money.

But now the Isle of Man judgement has proved that the palace doesn't even belong to me. What's more it's turned out to be a house. My husband was involved because of family relations. I have been vindicated. The judgement is a resounding slap in the face of all those who said that I made money illegally.

For 10 years we suffered. My husband was tortured and put into solitary confinement. He spent the best years of his life in jail. I brought up my children all alone. We suffered loss of reputation. It was awful? a nightmare for 10 long years. Look at the political damage, look at the life that has been usurped. My whole life has been usurped and it's still being held hostage.

On the red corner Interpol permit against her and Asif Zardari:

It was very hard on the children. I was in the United States with my husband who was recovering from a heart attack when I first heard about it. My daughter was in school. And her teacher told her, "I am surprised you turned up in school. Don't you know what's happened to your parents, it's all in the newspapers." My daughter was worried the whole night, thinking something dreadful had happened to her parents.

Back in the US, I was told that I would be arrested and extradited to Pakistan. So I spent that night with a relative. But the following day I had to deliver a lecture. I said to myself, whatever is going to happen, will happen. I decided to attend the lecture.

On President Musharraf and his handling of Pakistan:

When General Musharraf took over, people had great hopes, but he's squandered away his chances because he has used the military intelligence to create the ruling Pakistan Muslim League- Q.

The party is only going to last till the time Musharraf is there. Musharraf took steps to please the international community. But he has not taken any step to address the concerns of his own people.

Musharraf talks about corruption but he himself doesn't file his annual assets and liability report. Isn't this hypocrisy? There have been many scams and issues of impropriety in Pakistan under his regime and he's done nothing about them.

Instead of dealing with corruption, Musharraf is using it as a tool to politically blackmail people into joining him. Musharraf undermines the opposition. He also undermines the judiciary.

On nuclear scientist Abdul Qadir Khan:

I don't believe Abdul Qadir Khan single-handedly exported nuclear weapons. I believe he was sworn to take the blame on himself in exchange for pardon. My party has called for a parliamentary investigation?

On her meeting with Nawaz Sharif:

I met Nawaz Sharif in Saudi Arabia recently. We welcome the initiatives taken by Commonwealth. We also support the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy in Pakistan. We oppose the present regime and formed a joint front for democracy. It's certainly a good idea, and we may give it some thought.