ISLAMABAD: Among the slogans raised against President Pervez Musharraf outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday during protests by Opposition parties and lawyers, none was more telling about the political flux in the country than "Musharraf ka jo yaar hai, gaddar hai, gaddar hai" (Any friend of Musharraf is a traitor).

As the rumours of a deal between Pakistan Peoples Party leader Benazir Bhutto and General Musharraf grow stronger, other Opposition parties are wearing a brave face to say that such an arrangement would only strengthen their hands.

Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, secretary-general of the Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan Muslim League (N), said Ms. Bhutto had assured them that there was going to be no deal with the Government.

"But if there is, the entire nation will be on our side. The people want real democracy to be restored. Anybody who makes a deal with Musharraf or his cronies will repent it for the rest of their lives," Mr. Jhagra told The Hindu .

He was leading a contingent of PML (N) activists outside the Supreme Court as Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary appeared before the Supreme Judicial Council. The day's hearing was devoted to objections by defence counsel about the bias of the judges in the panel, its constitution and its competence to hear a reference against the Chief Justice. The hearing was adjourned until April 24.

The Government is speaking in several voices about the so-called deal with Ms. Bhutto. Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid said it was close to finalisation, while Information Minister Muhammed Ali Durrani said that while Ms. Bhutto was "begging" for a deal, the Government was not prepared to join hands with "those who compromised national honour to foreigners."

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