KARACHI, 21 February — Hope for a compromise between the present government of Pervez Musharraf and the Pakistan People’s Party which could have paved the way for an early release of Asif Zardari, husband of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, vanished yesterday after a government spokesman issued a strong rebuttal to claims made by the PPP.
Reports had been circulating for the last two days that Zardari, jailed since 1996, may well be on his way to freedom as the administration had started to review its attitude toward him, and would allow him to leave the country within a week or so.
In fact, certain amount of optimism had been built up in the PPP circles, and the departure from the country of the top leaders of the party for a meeting with Benazir was considered part of a wider celebrations, which the family and the party had been planning on Eid Al-Adha.
But a party press release, issued here yesterday, looked rather innocuous. Instead of explaining its stand on Musharraf’s visit to the United States, or elections, etc., it merely stated that the meeting between some of the key functionaries of the party with Benazir, was a social call, meant to convey the good wishes of the party rank and file to its leader.
The government statement was quite tough in tone and content. Instead of addressing the party, it made it a point to address the general public. “She has been in the habit of giving contradictory statements. On the one hand, she dubs the regime as unconstitutional, and on the other, was keen, and has been sending delegations of the party leaders to see the president,” the spokesman said and wanted the people to understand that Benazir has on more than one occasion volunteered support to Musharraf’s candidacy for presidency.
He added that the “government was not ready to bargain on principles, and has been taking decisions purely on merit, in the interest of the country, and the nation. Its policies had been hailed both within the country and abroad. If some of the political elements felt uncomfortable because of this, such a reaction is natural,” it added.
The spokesman dismissed as “nothing unusual” criticism of the court proceedings in the country against her and her husband. Analysts said that the statement was targeted specifically at Benazir, and avoided attacking the party, which gives an impression that the government wanted to derive a wedge between the PPP and its leadership.
Reports had said that the government would not oppose bail to Zardari in future hearing of the cases, pending against him, but yesterday, it sought adjournments in two of these cases, clearly implying that a settlement had still not been reached. And there has been some feeling in government circles now that both the husband and wife should be prevented from taking part in the elections. While Benazir is already in exile, Zardari too can be sent out of the country to let the party face the electorate on its own.
A perspective like this was not very comfortable with some of the main leaders of the party who consider her presence in the country absolutely essential for victory at the polls.
According to other reports, however, the PPP continues its wait-and-see policy in hopes of striking a “deal” with their government. Until then all of its decisions, including a possible electoral alliance or seat adjustment with Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League, is delayed if not shelved. Sources in both the parties said they were playing their cards very carefully.
