Under the emerging deal, Bhutto’s powerful Pakistan Peoples Party would back Musharraf’s re-election bid, essentially guaranteeing that he’d stay in power. In return, Bhutto could end her decadelong exile. Outstanding corruption charges against her—charges she has always vehemently denied—would be dropped or shelved, and she could openly campaign for a Parliament seat in the next general elections, probably in January (she’s constitutionally barred from a third term as prime minister). Musharraf has even agreed in principle to step down as armed-forces chief. Out of uniform, he would wield considerably less power than he has now. But in the long run, civilian rule could mean a more stable Pakistan—and a stronger stand against Al Qaeda.
