Bhutto blames gov´t for militants

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-24-2007 08:45

We start in Pakistan, where politicians have been addressing rallies around the country as the campaign for next month's parliamentary elections heats up.

Former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto addresses an election rally in her hometown of Larkana, December 23, 2007. REUTERS/Nadeem Soomro (PAKISTAN)

Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto accused President Pervez Musharraf's government of failing to crush militants.

The former prime minister told her supporters that the government is to blame for the rise of Islamic militancy in the country.

Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan People's Party Leader, said, "Those running political madrassas do not teach Islam to children, rather they teach children how to use guns and kill women, elders and children."

Also on Sunday, another opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif held a rally in Pakistan's largest city, Karachi.

He said he had favored a boycott of the elections, but changed his mind after talks with Bhutto.

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, right, addresses his supporters in Karachi, Pakistan Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)

Nawaz Sharif, FMR Prime Minister of Pakistan, said, "We don't want to leave the field open for the king's party. I was in favor of a boycott, but not a partial boycott: aunanimous boycott of all the parties. That is why I went to Benazir Bhutto to talk to her: Benazir, let us boycott the elections, because the government wants to rig the election and rig with the elections massively."

The Pakistan Muslim League leader is campaigning even though he has been barred from running for Parliament for his alleged involvement in a corruption case and other charges.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei