'Benazir ready to support Musharraf conditionally'

Islamabad, Aug 27: Pakistan"s Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is willing to support President Pervez Musharraf in the upcoming presidential elections, provided certain conditions are met.

Ahmed said that over next few days things are going to move in a positive direction.

He urged political parties to evolve a national consensus to promote democratic norms in the country.

Answering a question, Ahmed said that the Pakistan Muslim League (Quami) would not ally itself with other parties in the general elections.

According to the Daily Times, he did not confirm the Sharif family"s return to Pakistan.

Commenting on a reported meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Lebanese businessman Saad Hariri in London, Ahmed told Geo News that the guarantors are asking Sharif to abide by the agreement that he had signed in 2000.

"It is an Arab tradition to stand by their word," he added.

He said that the Supreme Court had announced a legal and constitutional verdict in the Sharif brothers" case, but Nawaz Sharif was morally bound to follow the agreement.

ANI
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