Bhutto, Sharif headed for a parting of ways

Former Pakistan Prime Ministers Benazir Bhutto and Mohammad Nawaz Sharif are headed for a parting of ways following the formers reported move to ink a deal with the Musharraf regime to facilitate her return to Pakistan after a decade of self-exile.

Karachi, May 8 : Former Pakistan Prime Ministers Benazir Bhutto and Mohammad Nawaz Sharif are headed for a parting of ways following the former's reported move to ink a deal with the Musharraf regime to facilitate her return to Pakistan after a decade of self-exile.

According to the Dawn, the gulf between Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) is widening.

Insiders privy to the actual extent of disenchantment say that it is a matter of time before a parting of ways takes place.

The two major components of the opposition Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) have also differed over the role of the six-party religious alliance -- the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) in the ARD movement against the Musharraf regime.

Insiders point out that reports of a "deal" between President Musharraf and Benazir Bhutto has upset not only PML-N workers but also PPP loyalists who fear that the credibility of party will be affected.

"There is some confusion over some recent statements of Benazir Bhutto. And, yes, PML-N workers are concerned about it. But the feelings of PPP workers on rumours of a deal is not different from those of our workers," PML-N leader Sardar Rahim told the Dawn.

He, however, maintained that the PML-N and the PPP were united at the platform of the ARD and it was their consensus demand that the popular leadership of the country -- Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto -- should be allowed to return home and contest the next general elections.

"A very few people in the party know what is going on, but I have no trust in these generals who want the PPP's support after failing to improve the country's economic and social situation. It is my own opinion that the PPP should not be a part of a military government," an unnamed PPP leader said.

However, PPP Deputy Secretary General Senator Raza Rabbani has categorically rejected reports of a deal with the regime, but admitted to backdoor contacts between the two.

ANI