LAHORE, Dec 5: The PPP may enter into an alliance with any party, including the ruling PML, according to future political situations, but it cannot forgive "traitors".

This was stated by foreign liaison committee chief Munir Ahmad Khan while talking to newsmen here on Sunday. Elaborating, he said the party could form an alliance even with the PML provided the situation demanded it. However, it did not mean that the PPP was discontinuing its anti-Musharraf drive, he added.

He said only Benazir Bhutto would be prime minister if the PPP came in power. Answering a question, he said the release of Asif Zardari had rejuvenated party workers. He denied that the release was the result of any deal with the government.

"Had Zardari believed in deal, he would not have served eight years in jail." Replying to another query, he said Ms Bhutto would return in the year 2005 and the date for her return would be finalized by the central leadership of the party.

Mr Khan, who is also deputy information secretary of the ARD, said there were bright chances of converting the alliance into electoral one. The issue had been discussed on and off by the ARD leaders, he said, adding any decision on it would be finalized close to general election.

He, however, hoped that unlike in the past at least the ARD components would agree on electoral adjustments. He denied the impression that the PPP was taking unilateral decision in the alliance. Several PML-N leaders had been consulted before changing the venue of ARD's first anti-government meeting from Peshawar to Malakand.