Opposition Leader Benazir Bhutto has cast doubts on Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s ability to prevent extremists from getting hold of the country’s nuclear arsenal.

“General Musharraf says he is in firm control of the nuclear arsenal, and the army is very disciplined. But we have been facing chaos, growing chaos for some time,” the former Pakistan prime minister said.

“What happens in Pakistan will affect the lives of the people of Pakistan. But I am afraid that since Pakistan is a nuclear-armed country (and that it) is facing a threat from a radicalisation and terrorists, whatever happens in Pakistan is also going to impact the rest of the world,” Bhutto added.

Sounding a warning note, Bhutto said: “We need to maintain Pakistan’s stability. If there is no stability, then I am afraid the controls could weaken.”

Caught in the middle of an emergency after her return to Pakistan, Bhutto asked the international community, especially the, US to send a firm message to the General to restore Constitution, shed the uniform and hold parliamentary elections promised for January.

“I would like Washington to very clearly tell General Musharraf that it is important for him to restore the Constitution, to retire as Chief of Army Staff, and to hold the election as scheduled, so that they are completed by January 16, 2008,” Bhutto told CNN on Monday.