PPP denies Musharraf given 'safe exit' under deal

Pakistan's ruling Pakistan Peoples Party on Wednesday denied that former President Pervez Musharraf was given a "safe exit" after his resignation under a negotiated settlement guaranteed by "international and local" stakeholders, saying that no such deal was struck.

Senior PPP leader and presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar contradicted reports in the media that President Asif Ali Zardari had confirmed holding negotiations with international guarantors to give indemnity and safe passage to Musharraf after he stepped down as President last year.

His statement came amid criticism from the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz of Zardari's reported comments at an 'iftar' he hosted on Monday.

"In the chat with journalists (during the 'iftar'), there was no mention of negotiations with so-called national or international guarantors to give immunity to Musharraf subsequent to his exit," Babar said.

The main opposition PML-N of former premier Nawaz Sharif has demanded that Zardari should appraise parliament and the people of the deal arranged by international powers.

Senior PML-N leader and Leader of Opposition in parliament Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said Zardari's comments were "violative of national sovereignty."

In the wake of PML-N's criticism, Babar clarified that Zardari had told the journalists that "national political leaders and parties had held negotiations among themselves to chase Musharraf out of office...."