The reported political deal between Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has been finalised, a government minister has said.
'All matters have been finalised with the former prime minister. The recent statements of Benazir Bhutto are just for
political consumption,' the media reported today, quoting Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed as saying.
Musharraf had met the former Premier and Pakistan People's Party Chairperson in Abu Dhabi last month apparently to clinch a deal to ensure his re-election and her return home from self-exile.
However, there were conflicting reports about the outcome of the meeting between the two leaders, with a section
of the media claiming that 'the talks remained inconclusive' as Bhutto refused to endorse Musharraf as President in uniform for another term.
"Let her give statements as part of the political process," the minister said, reacting to Bhutto's recent statement asking Musharraf to doff his military uniform before seeking re-election as the President.
He said Musharraf was making up his mind on the issue of uniform. "The next four weeks are of prime importance for
the politics of the country," he said, adding all ways would become open after the presidential election and the next
general elections would be held later this year.
Rashid also said during the next four weeks important issues like deposed premier Nawaz Sharif's case and the
President's issue would be settled in the Supreme Court and the results would come before the nation.