Musharraf hates Benazir with passion: Federal Minister

An unnamed Pakistani Minister has said in private that Musharraf hates Benazir with passion but wants to get her and Maulana Fazlur Rehman on board in the future government.

Islamabad, Aug 10 : An unnamed Pakistani Minister has said in private that Musharraf "hates Benazir with passion" but wants to get her and Maulana Fazlur Rehman on board in the future government.

When asked why Benazir should believe Musharraf on the uniform issue, the minister disclosed there were more than one international guarantor to ensure that he would remove it in letter and spirit.

The minister, however, disclosed that Musharraf in uniform was a must till the next general elections to keep political forces balanced in the next Parliament.

"Firstly, Bhutto is not reliable. Secondly, if the uniform is removed before the elections, she might sweep the polls, leaving us in the lurch," the minister said.

Musharraf in uniform would ensure that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Quami) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) stay in balance, he added.

He was confident that the General would shed his uniform by the end of the year.

According to The News, the minister believed that it was imperative for Musharraf to doff his uniform for the sake of Pakistan and its army.

"Musharraf is not revealing his cards, and my 'informed opinion' is that he would be Mr President by the end of the year," minister said.

Commenting on US pressure on Musharraf to give up his uniform, the minister said Musharraf in uniform was in America's interest, so why should they be asking him to remove it.

Some Cabinet members and the members of ruling coalition told Musharraf behind closed doors that his remaining in uniform is bringing a bad name to the Pakistan Army.

"This is really dangerous," he said, adding that for the sake of Pakistan, it should be the sincere efforts of all to ensure that the military goes back to the barracks at the earliest.

The confrontation between the army and the civilian must be avoided at all costs, or else, the country will be divided, he said.

ANI