ISLAMABAD - Benazir Bhutto's political party said Monday it may work with Pakistan's president after elections next month despite the leader's apparent unpopularity and allegations elements within his government may have played a role in her death.
Bhutto's party and the other major opposition grouping are expected to do well in the Feb. 18 parliamentary polls, but few analysts expect either will gain enough votes to form a government. Fears of widespread vote-rigging have also led to speculation that the parties may not accept the results, triggering political turmoil.
Bhutto's Pakistans Peoples Party did not rule out co-operating with President Pervez Musharraf after the polls.
"Our first priority is holding free and fair elections,'' said party spokesman Farhatullah Babar. "All other things, working with Musharraf or not working with Musharraf, these are bridges which we will cross when they come. All options are open.''
Many analysts predict any agreement between Musharraf and Bhutto's party would be short-lived and unstable, given likely opposition by the group's rank and file.
But it would represent a matchup of secular, moderate forces at a time of rising Islamic extremism in the country and, as such, could be welcomed by the United States and other Western nations.
The polls, delayed for six weeks amid rioting triggered by Bhutto's assassination, are seen as a key step in Pakistan's transition to democracy.
An opinion poll conducted by the International Republican Institute late last year found 72 per cent of respondents opposed Musharraf's recent re-election to the presidency by the old parliament for a new five-year term.
Bhutto, a former prime minister, was killed in a Dec. 27 gun and suicide bomb attack.
She was a secular politician popular in the U.S. and other Western countries for her opposition to hard-line Islam.
Musharraf has blamed the attack on Muslim extremist, who had previously threatened to kill her.
But her political party and family members have accused the government of failing to provide her with sufficient security. Some have made vague allegations that elements within the government may have been involved.
An opinion poll released over the weekend showed that 23 perc ent of respondents suspected government agencies in the slaying, while 25 per cent believed government-allied politicians were behind it. Only 17 per cent said they suspected al Qaeda or Taliban operatives.
