Bhutto optimistic about finalising deal with Mush

Former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto is optimistic about the possibility of finaliing a power-sharing agreement with President Pervez Musharraf.

"We are optimistic but we can't say anything. Everything is not finalised and we have to wait," said Bhutto, who lives in self-imposed exile in London.

"At this stage, things are not final," said the former prime minister, whose Pakistan People's Party is engaged in the on-off power-sharing talks with Musharraf's representatives.

Bhutto said she was expecting the National Reconciliation Ordinance -- which would grant amnesty to political leaders in corruption cases -- to come out on Thursday. "We have moved forward, unless we see the National Reconciliation Bill in the print form, we will not say the final word," she said.

Bhutto said that she had discussions with Musharraf's representatives on Wednesday night but was awaiting the National Reconciliation Ordinance to be brought out in 'black and white'.

Musharraf, who also holds the position of Army Chief, is seeking re-election in the October 6 presidential election in uniform. PPP's Makhdoom Amin Fahim and former Supreme Court judge Wajeehuddin Ahmed are contesting against Musharraf.

"We have been insisting that Pakistan return to democracy and Musharraf give up his uniform," Bhutto said.

"Now he has given a commitment to the Supreme Court to shed his uniform after the elections. It will be a step towards democracy when the General takes off his uniform," she said.

At the same time, Bhutto said, "We will not resign from assemblies. If we vote in the presidential poll, we will be legitimising Musharraf's military rule. We will not be voting for a uniformed President and this has been understood by both sides"

The former prime minister said that the national reconciliation ordinance was being extended to all political groups, so that there was a democracy and a viable political system in place, not only for select individuals but for everybody.

In Islamabad, Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was quoted as saying that an announcement on an agreement -- which is expected to include dropping of corruption cases against Bhutto -- would come within hours. 

On the legitimacy of the presidential poll, Bhutto said the matter will be decided by the Supreme Court, which was hearing petitions filed by Fahim and Ahmed against the candidature of Musharraf.

Asked about the pressure from the United States, she said Washington wanted restoration of democracy in Pakistan and her party supported it. "Most important role was that of the people of Pakistan who stood by me. We want a transition to democracy without bloodshed," said Bhutto.