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Bhutto, Musharraf deal likely

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto may be close to reaching a power-sharing deal with President Pervez Musharraf, who is seeking re-election.

Speaking in London, Bhutto, who is scheduled to return to her country on Oct. 18 ending her exile, was quoted as expressing optimism, Britain’s Independent reported Friday. Her Pakistan People’s Party has been in talks with Musharraf, whose reelection bid would be decided Saturday through balloting in Pakistan’s parliament and its four national assemblies.

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Although Musharraf, who is also the country’s military chief, was expected to win, he would still need to tackle legal challenges to his holding twin offices. A deal with Bhutto would resolve some of those issues.

“General Musharraf has said he wants national reconciliation. We want that too,” the Independent quoted Bhutto as saying.

She also said her party would like to see a national reconciliation bill in print before making its stand clear. “But we are now optimistic that this is going through."

A deal with Musharraf would give Bhutto an amnesty from corruption charges which had forced her to go into exile. Musharraf in turn would be able to stabilize his position in time for general elections scheduled for January.

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