KARACHI, 30 April — The Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) has expressed concern over reports that former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the military authorities are close to a deal for the release of Asif Zardari. Press reports suggested that Benazir wanted to establish direct contact with Chief Executive Gen. Pervez Musharraf. The PPP and the military authorities have been negotiating a deal for the release of Zardari. The reports, however, could not be verified as the PPP and the military authorities did not offer any comment on the issue. According to sources, most of the ARD leaders, including its chief Nawabazda Nazrullah Khan, have expressed concern at the reports. They believe that any deal between the PPP and the government would deal a blow to the ARD movement for the restoration of democracy. Lt. Gen. Mahmood Ahmed of ISI and Makhdoom Amin Fahim, the senior vice president of PPP, had a meeting recently. Benazir is also reported to have talked to one of her previous ally in the Grand Democratic Alliance from London and expressed her desire to establish direct contacts  with Gen. Musharraf. The PML led by former Premier Nawaz Sharif has expressed its concern over Benazir’s offer to Gen. Musharraf to support him should he opt to become president.