PPP not to back Musharraf in his re-election efforts

Islamabad, Apr 17: Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has been at the centre of controversy for quite sometime in and outside the country for reportedly trying to clinch a power sharing deal with military ruler General Pervez Musharraf.

While the PPP has been denying possibility of such a deal before parliamentary elections scheduled by the end of 2007 or early 2008, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has claimed that contacts between the government and the PPP have entered the 'final round.

Observers believe that any deal or understanding with the PPP will help Gen Musharraf secure re-election for the second term.

But the PPP spokesman ruled out any support to Gen Musharraf in his efforts.

''The PPP believes that Musharraf's re-election from the present assemblies was unconstitutional,'' Daily Times quoted Farhatullah Babar as saying.

He said Ms Bhutto would not back President Musharraf's attempt to get re-elected through the present assemblies, adding that the statements attributed to Ms Bhutto in this regard were part of a 'disinformation' campaign.

UNI