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Can anything be salvaged?
It's quite painful at the moment to be looking for good in her death quite frankly. Had there been a credible government, and had that government with some authenticity pointed a finger at A, B, or C, there would be a movement forward. That would have been a positive element. Unfortunately Musharraf has lower credibility than Baitullah Mehsud. When Baitullah denies it, people believe Baitullah more than the man who is presiding over the destruction of evidence. And the whole thing happened two miles from where he lives.
What do you see happening after the elections?
I think that democracy and the post-electoral government are going to have a very difficult time. It is going to be a time of turmoil. I think people will turn to the leaders of the civil society movements. People will turn to the leaders who have credibility, and have spent this time pointing out the blind alley we are racing towards. So I think that the real relevance of the movement of the lawyers and of civil society is going to come after the people have realized that this election process — this parrot of democracy — has led them nowhere.
Obviously you have a role to play. What can you do?
Well, I have brought this issue to international attention. I think the Americans are starting to take notice. I'm grateful to the senators who have brought up this issue. It's nice to see that at least Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama agree on something.
Would you want a leadership position in a new government? On the street people say they want to see you in the Prime Minister's seat.
Being Prime Minister is a crown of thorns. I don't mind being a facilitator at all, I think the country needs it desperately. But I am not necessarily vying or dying for any office. I think what is most essential at this moment is for somebody to be able to arbitrate a new compact between those three branches.
Do you think you have the skills to do that?
This can only be left to others to decide. If people were to place confidence in me, or any one else it would be the same. This person needs the confidence of the people more than skills.
This is not your first time in detention.
I've been in and out of jail — under Zia's time in power [General Zia ul Haq, who overthrew Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir's father, in 1977] I was in and out of jail so often I was able to do all my research and write a book. I'm writing a book now too. One learns to make the best of the situation.
Have you always been a fighter?
My mother tells everyone that my first words were a political slogan. She was in jail for chanting slogans against the regime [of pre-independence Pakistan]. People would shout Khizer wazirit [the rule of Minister Khizer] and I would say Tordo! [break it!]. I don't remember this of course, but my mother tells me about it. They were very excited that I learned my first word in prison. It was the "Go, Musharraf Go!" of the time.
So you are saying the same thing to this day?
You might say that. It's been a long, long road. But I am not just saying tordo, I am also saying jordo, which means to fix it, put it together, repair it. And I think this nation needs to be put back together.