Pakistan ? Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto warned Sunday that Taliban and al-Qaida militants have gained ground in Pakistan, making her first public appearance since narrowly escaping a suicide assassination attempt that killed 136 people.

But she said the bombing could unite her and other forces opposed to extremism, including military ruler President Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

“He’s been the victim of assassination attacks and so have we,” Bhutto told a small group of journalists inside her heavily guarded Karachi residence. “I think certainly it will unite all those who are against extremism.”

Bhutto’s return from an eight-year exile follows negotiations with Musharraf that could bring the longtime rivals together after January elections and see the corruption charges against her vanish.

Bhutto, who is vying to become prime minister for a third time, has kept up her strong rhetoric against military rule and accuses elements within Musharraf’s administration and security services of plotting to kill her.