Sunday, Dec 05, 2004
Sunday, Dec 05, 2004 |
| International | ||||
|
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | International
By B. Muralidhar Reddy
ISLAMABAD, DEC. 4 . The Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) has denied reports that Gen. Musharraf has congratulated the former Premier Benazir Bhutto on the release of her husband Asif Ali Zardari from jail on bail. It was reported that Gen. Musharraf had made a phone call to her before leaving on foreign tour. However, speculation of a `deal' or `formula' between the two for sharing power continues.
Fresh polls planned?
If it materialises, it could lead to the dissolution of Parliament, fresh elections in 2005 and relinquishing of the office of army chief by President Musharraf. The Musharraf regime has also decided to ease relations with the PML (Nawaz) and try and involve Shahbaz Sharif [brother of the former Premier Nawaz Sharif] in the political process marked for 2005.
"President Musharraf wants to share power with the PPP and bring the PML-N into the loop but his proposal excludes the return to power of both Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif as Prime Ministers. In this regard, the PPP is more amenable to the Government's proposals than Nawaz Sharif but negotiations are continuing with both sides," the press reports said quoting sources.
The reports said officials of the ISI, Military Intelligence, and the President's secretariat are holding talks with the two leaders in Dubai and Jeddah. The PPP has reportedly been assured that it will not be obstructed from galvanising its vote bank and making a bid for power. There is also talk of an interim administration acceptable to all stakeholders for the conduct of free and fair elections.
Ms. Bhutto is believed to be demanding that all cases registered against her should be dropped, and release all PPP prisoners.
"Interestingly, the Government's emissaries are learnt to have assured Ms. Bhutto that Gen. Musharraf will shed his uniform sometime soon and pull back army personnel from civilian institutions after the next elections," the reports said. In return, Ms Bhutto is said to have agreed to accept Gen. Musharraf as President till 2007 and support him for continuing as President for another term.
She also seems agreeable to staying out of the country until 2007, though she will be entitled to make brief visits to meet Mr. Zardari who intends to stay here for the long haul.
Printer friendly
page
News:
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | The Hindu eBooks | Home |
Copyright © 2004, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|
