ISLAMABAD, 24 November 2004 — Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto denied yesterday that she had struck a deal with Pakistan’s president to secure her husband’s freedom, but said leaders from her opposition party had held “political reconciliation” talks with government officials.
Asif Ali Zardari, 52, accused in a slew of cases alleging corruption during Benazir’s two governments in the early 1990s, was released Monday on a 1-million-rupee ($16,900) bail after eight years in custody.
The government welcomed Zardari’s release, and speculation has grown about a rapprochement between Benazir and President Gen. Pervez Musharraf. The president previously ruled out the possibility of her taking a role in national politics.
“No government official met with me, but there have been meetings with Asif Zardari and my party leaders for political reconciliation,” Benazir said yesterday. But she insisted “there was no deal” for Zardari’s release.
Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed hoped that Zardari’s release would improve the political environment, but refused to comment on whether there had been a deal. “This is a welcome decision and will help create political harmony,” he told The Associated Press.
In 1996 then-President Farooq Leghari dismissed Benazir’s government on charges of corruption and misrule, and had Zardari arrested.
