Pak close to bringing amnesty ordinance to Bhutto

The Pakistan government is close to bringing an ordinance which is expected to grant amnesty to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and other important political leaders in corruption cases against them.

Quoting unnamed sources, private Geo TV reported that final touches were being given to the National Reconciliation Ordinance, which would pave the way for withdrawal of cases against Bhutto, exiled former premier Nawaz Sharif and other important political leaders.

The ordinance will quash all corruption cases registered against politicians and other important persons between 1988 and 1999, the sources said.

President Pervez Musharraf, who is seeking re-election in the October 6 presidential  polls, told the channel on Wednesday that he wanted to drop the cases against Sharif and other political leaders as part of the national reconciliation.

However, Bhutto, who lives in self-imposed exile, said in London on Thursday that reports of amnesty to her were a 'disinformation campaign' and that her talks with Musharraf were totally stalled.

Meanwhile, a session of the National Assembly was postponed for a day, apparently to facilitate reconciliation between the government and Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party.

An ordinance granting amnesty to Bhutto in corruption cases and allowing her to have a third term as prime minister - currently barred under the Constitution - cannot be issued if the National Assembly is in session.

However, PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar said that talks between his party and the government were stalled as there had not been any headway in the negotiations.

But ruling PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain expressed opposition to any deal with Bhutto, saying his party was not ready to be part of an arrangement that would provide indemnity to the PPP chairperson from corruption cases.

He also said he was opposed to any possible power-sharing arrangement with the PPP after the general elections, scheduled towards the end of this year.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court adjourned till Friday the hearing of petitions challenging Musharraf's candidature in the October 6 presidential poll.

A 10-member bench of the apex court, which was hearing the petitions challenging the validity of Musharraf's nomination, adjourned the matter after arguments by Hamid Khan, the counsel for Wajihuddin Ahmed, a former judge who is contesting against the General, and Attorney General Malik Qayyum.

Khan sought a stay on the presidential election, saying the outgoing national and provincial assemblies could not participate in the polls. Qayyum opposed this, contending that the polls are being held in accordance with the Constitution.

Justice Javed Iqbal said the plea for a stay order will be decided on Friday.