NEW DELHI, Nov 26: Saying that her exile was a reflection of the state of human rights in Pakistan, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto on Monday sought assurances of safety from President Pervez Musharraf’s regime whenever she does decide to return to her country.

Ms Bhutto told a news conference on the second day of a private visit to India that her government was subverted by jihadi elements in the Pakistan army and by Osama bin Laden himself.

“I represent one side of the debate which represents freedom, free markets and global co-operation,” she said. “The other part of the debate is that which believes that violence can bring about a more meaningful change, that there should be a de-linking from the rest of the global community. My election was, therefore, opposed by extremist forces sometimes referred to as jihadi generals, sometimes referred to as pro-Taliban.”

She said in 1989 Osama bin Laden was recalled from Saudi Arabia to fund a no-confidence move to topple her government. “That no-confidence move failed in 1989.”

In 1993, since convicted terror mastermind Ramzi Yussuf “at the behest of the domestic Pakistani supporters made two assassination attempts on me which both failed. In one of those assassination attempts the plan was to blame my brother and his supporters for the attack on me.”

Ms Bhutto denied charges that her government was largely responsible for the creation of the Taliban militants in Afghanistan, but said she had worked with them for some time with the United States and European countries.

“As far as the creation of the Taliban is concerned, there is a widespread perception that they were created by my party, and that perception is incorrect,” Ms Bhutto said. “In fact we did not have anything to do with the creation of the Taliban. They were an indigenous Afghan movement that rose to take control of Kandahar. However, initially, the US, Europe and my government did work with the Taliban.

Asked about her prospects of returning to Pakistan to contest elections promised by Gen Musharraf, Ms Bhutto said her party and the military regime were engaged in a discussion on the issue.

“There is still a wide gulf between the two sides. And this wide gulf depends on a range of issues, including our demand that political prisoners be released, politically motivated cases be withdrawn, that elections be fair, free and impartial, in that regard certain substantive steps be taken and, of course, safety assurances for my return.”

However, she said: “Even if there is no agreement between the military regime and my party, I still intend contesting the next election. And then I would return in the context of no understanding with the military regime. But that would mean that the military regime does not want to have fair elections. If there are elections, I would like to contest the elections. By barring my contest they cast on the whole process. We have not abandoned the path of dialogue. Nor has Gen Musharraf abandoned the path of dialogue. And since his regime has kept open the doors of dialogue there is still a possibility that we can have an agreement.”

Ms Bhutto said a stable and democratic Pakistan was absolutely essential today. “I hope in the better interest of my country that Gen Musharraf’s regime has the agreement to facilitate the return of democracy. There is too much tension in the region and a stable Pakistan is very important for Pakistan and for the region.”