Bhutto pips Musharraf in survey on leading Pak

Former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhutto is a better bet to lead the country than President Pervez Musharraf, according to a new survey.

Fifty per cent of Pakistanis also approved Bhutto's return to the country though respondents in the poll had mixed feelings about the prospect of her becoming prime minister for a third term.

The poll, conducted in urban areas of the country by AC Nielsen Pakistan for WorldPublicOpinion.org, found that one in three respondents was opposed to her homecoming.

Equal numbers -- 40 per cent -- favoured and opposed her becoming prime minister for a third term. Twenty per cent declined to respond, the influential Dawn newspaper reported on Sunday.

The poll of 907 Pakistanis found that Bhutto was marginally ahead of Musharraf in the race to lead the country.

Asked who would be the best person to lead Pakistan, 27 per cent favoured Bhutto while 21 per cent backed Musharraf.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had a similar level of support, with 21 per cent endorsing him as the best person to lead Pakistan.

Asked about the possibility of Sharif, currently in exile in Saudi Arabia, returning to Pakistan, 51 per cent approved of his return, while 35 per cent were opposed to it.

The poll was conducted through face-to-face interviews in 19 cities.