16 October 2004	Saturday	01 Ramazan 1425

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KARACHI, Oct 15: Interned PPP-P leader Asif Ali Zardari said on Friday that passage of the government bill supporting retention of two posts by Gen Pervez Musharraf was the last fig leaf behind which a controversial and weakened military chief had taken refuge to prolong his personal rule.

He maintained that there was a possibility that a broad-based agreement between his party and the ARD would be reached before they could go into next elections. He was talking to newsmen informally inside the Karachi Central Prison after hearing in the Justice Nizam murder case.

"Passage of the bill has made Musharraf more controversial," he said, adding: "we don't accept him as president because his presence there tantamount to abrogation of the Constitution."

Mr Zardari claimed that Gen Musharraf had virtually turned the system into a presidential form of government, and commended people for their resolve to resist any such move. He claimed that the PPP-P was, to a great extent, responsible for such a resistance.

He did not agree with a questioner that centrifugal forces were becoming stronger. "On the contrary, the Establishment is becoming weaker," he claimed. He nevertheless said that there were forces that were working against Pakistan.

Mr Zardari claimed that concentration of too much powers had made Musharraf more vulnerable and he could slip under its weight because time was an odd phenomenon. In reply to a question, he ruled out any deal with Gen Musharraf, but maintained that dialogue was a tool for democratic dispensation.

"There cannot be any deal because the general will not agree to our demand, i.e. the general should go," said Mr Zardari. He said he was still of the view that Gen Musharraf would be compelled to give up both the posts this year and the PPP-P would emerged victorious in fresh elections with the help of democratic forces.

Mr Zardari condemned the kidnapping and killing of a Chinese national in the tribal area, and said the government had failed in providing adequate protection to the national of a trusted friend.