Musharraf faced near mutiny from his ministers over amnesty to Benazir

Many Pakistan cabinet ministers were bitterly opposed to the proposed amnesty to former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and several other leaders after the promulgation of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

Islamabad, Oct 4 : Many Pakistan cabinet ministers were bitterly opposed to the proposed amnesty to former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and several other leaders after the promulgation of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

At a meeting convened to inform the key members of the ruling coalition about the NRO, Pakistan Muslim League (PML) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain faced criticism from a few cabinet ministers for withdrawing corruption cases against PPP chairperson Benazir.

Minister for Textiles Mushtaq Ali Cheema and the party's parliamentary secretary, Rajab Ali Baloch, have openly criticised the attempts to rescue the PPP chairperson.

The duo, however, made it clear that they would vote for Musharraf, but would re-evaluate their "affiliations" after the presidential election.

"We stand against corruption and this has been our position. If the corruption cases against anyone are withdrawn now, we will lose people's confidence," the Daily Times quoted Minister of State Raza Hayat Hiraj, as saying.

Shujaat Hussain, however, insisted, "it (withdrawing corruption cases) was in the national interest".

Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid said though the move was wrong they would go out and "convince the people".

According to media reports, the Pakistan Government has stopped Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Sher Afgan Niazi from moving the Supreme Court against the withdrawal of corruption cases against politicians.

The PML had told Musharraf that the party's leadership was not ready to disregard corruption charges against Benazir, the Dawn quoted Minister of State for Information Tariq Azeem Khan, as saying.

Meanwhile, the PML leaders are reported to having talks with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's party to forge an alliance in the forthcoming general elections to defeat the PPP.

ANI