November 15, 2001	Thursday	Shaba’an 28, 1422

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

ISLAMABAD, Nov 14: Jailed Pakistan People’s Party leader Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday dispelled reports that the PPP has struck a deal with the military government.

Talking to reporters here at an accountability court, he asked the government to immediately hold general elections as only a civilian government could handle the situation in the post-Taliban era.

On Wednesday, two corruption references, the ARY gold and the SGS pre-shipment inspection award cases, were fixed. The cases were adjourned for Nov 27 and Nov 29 respectively without any hearing on the request of the prosecutor general, who could not appear before the court.

Mr Zardari said he would not repeat the mistake which former prime minister had committed by leaving the country. He said he would face the situation.

He said former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was serving the interests of the country abroad in a better way.

When asked to suggest when Ms Bhutto was likely to return after the reported understanding between the PPP and the government, he said: “Ultimately she has to come to Pakistan as she belongs here. She will be in the country the moment the situation becomes conducive for her arrival in Pakistan.”

He was of the view that the situation in Afghanistan was very fluid, the fallout of which in Pakistan could only be handled appropriately by a political government. Therefore, the government should hold elections as early as possible, he suggested.