Bhutto promises crackdown on Islamic extremists

Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto accused President Pervez Musharraf of failing to stop the spread of Islamic militants and promised to crack down on the groups if she won next month’s parliamentary election.

Ms Bhutto spoke to about 4,000 supporters in the central city of Lodhran as the campaign for the January 8 vote intensified. The election is seen as crucial to restoring democracy after a six-week state of emergency accompanied by a crackdown on the independent judiciary and perceived government opponents.