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PPP denies deal with Musharraf regime

Nirupama Subramanian

SWEET NEWS: Women supporters of the exiled former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, celebrate in Hyderabad, Pakistan, on Thursday. — PHOTO: AP

ISLAMABAD: The closure of a department investigating illegal wealth cases against Pakistan People's Party leader Benazir Bhutto and her husband Asif Zardari has led to speculation of a rapprochement between the exiled leader and the Musharraf regime. But the PPP denied it was making any "deals" with the regime.

Party spokesperson Sherry Rehman said the party was demanding free and fair elections, and the withdrawal of the cases against Ms. Bhutto was not as part of any agreement with the Government, but as a legitimate right.

Newspapers speculated that the closure of the Special Operations Division of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was a precursor to a deal between Ms. Bhutto and President Pervez Musharraf, which has been talked about for several months.

The official in charge of the department, who was also a favourite of the Nawaz Sharif Government, has been transferred and appointed to the Punjab Governor's office.

Ms. Rehman said the Government had not withdrawn a single case against Ms. Bhutto or her husband. The cases had had only been transferred to another desk of the NAB. In a statement, she and PPP Senator Farouk Nek said, "The cases have been filed as part of a political vendetta and even if they are withdrawn, then it is no concession or favour to the party leadership. There was no evidence for any of the cases and ultimately, all the cases would have to be dismissed for this reason.

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