WASHINGTON, May 1 (UPI) -- Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto says that the denial of political rights has undermined the country's stability.
Bhutto, who governed Pakistan twice from 1988-90 and 1993-96, is struggling for the restoration of total democracy in Pakistan. She has been living in exile since 1996 and is unable to return, fearing arrest.
Pakistan is ruled by a military ruler, President Pervez Musharraf, who restored partial democracy two years ago by holding parliamentary elections. He has pledged to hold fair and free elections in 2007.
Musharraf is a key U.S. ally in the war against terror while Bhutto wants the United States to stop supporting him and instead favor democratic forces.
"Instead of a person, the United States should cement its ties to the people of Pakistan," said Bhutto while addressing students at the Harvard University. "And this can only be done by encouraging democratic forces."
Bhutto arrived in Boston Friday, on a four-day visit to the United States, which includes several lectures at American educational institutions.
