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Terror Takes Center Stage in Pakistan Vote

Bhutto, Sharif blast Musharraf for rise in extremist attacks

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 26, 2007 1:20 PM CST
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(Newser) – Two weeks ahead of elections, Islamic extremism has become a central issue in the intensifying three-way race for control of Pakistan's parliament, AFP reports. Benazir Bhutto yesterday took her campaign to Peshawar, the heart of the troubled northwest, and bashed Pervez Musharraf's handling of the terrorist threat. Militants have promised to disrupt the January 8 polling.

Although Musharraf is a key US ally, Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif charge he has done little to quell the rising wave of suicide attacks, which were once rare in Pakistan. Bhutto's rally in Peshawar, near the Afghan border, drew extreme security. A bomb ripped through a cable TV station in the city ahead of her arrival, the Times of India reports.

Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto rally during their leaders election campaign in Larkana, Pakistan Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. Bhutto on Sunday accused President Pervez Musharraf's government of failing to crush militants in the Islamic nation. (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)
Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto rally during their leaders election campaign in Larkana, Pakistan Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. Bhutto on Sunday accused President Pervez Musharraf's...   (Associated Press)
Pakistani officials look for evidences at a local cable television network office after an explosion in Peshawar, Pakistan on Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007. Authorities suspect Islamic militants are responsible for the blast. Meanwhile Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is due in Peshawar for her election campaign. (AP Photo/Mohammad Zubair)
Pakistani officials look for evidences at a local cable television network office after an explosion in Peshawar, Pakistan on Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007. Authorities suspect Islamic militants are responsible...   (Associated Press)
Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto addresses her supporters during an election campaign in Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan on Monday, Dec. 24, 2007. Bhutto said her agenda was to empower the people, to educate the people, to provide employment opportunity the people, to end the energy shortage that we have...
Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto addresses her supporters during an election campaign in Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan on Monday, Dec. 24, 2007. Bhutto said her agenda was "to empower the people,...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto attends her election rally in Larkana, Pakistan Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. Bhutto on Sunday accused President Pervez Musharraf's government of failing to crush militants in the Islamic nation. (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto attends her election rally in Larkana, Pakistan Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007. Bhutto on Sunday accused President Pervez Musharraf's government of failing to crush...   (Associated Press)
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Musharraf sees success against militants...
Bloomberg

...while Sharif says the country is 'soaked in blood'
News24 (South Africa)

 
Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • Peshawar • suicide bomber • suicide bombing • Benazir Bhutto • terrorist • Islamic extremism • Nawaz Sharif • Pakistan People's Party • Afghan border

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