2 April, 2005	Saturday	22 Safar 1426

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DUBAI April 1: Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister and Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party, has alleged that MMA, the alliance of religious parties, has been given a free hand as it is seen as “the safe opposition” while moderate parties are not allowed to function freely. She said this is like playing with fire as “uneven playing field is helping MMA to gain strength.”

Talking to a local newspaper before leaving Dubai for New Delhi on Thursday night, she categorically denied any deal with President Musharraf and warned the government that a lot can happen between now and 2007 if elections are not held this year. She said the system is falling apart and the unity and the integrity of the country is in danger.

On a question about US Secretary of States Condoleezza Rice’s offer of F-16 jets to Pakistan she said the US has rewarded Pakistan for agreeing to certain demands. “This is a quid pro quo for Islamabad agreeing to send centrifuges to the IAEA for testing in the light of developments in Iran,” The Gulf News quoted her as saying.

She denied all rumours about agreeing with the government to stay out of the country and that her husband Asif Ali Zardari will lead the Party.

She said Asif Zardari is scheduled to return to Lahore on April 16 and government “will be seen as the clandestine supporter of the MMA” if it tried to ban the welcome rallies of the Peoples Party.

“The MMA can hold million-marches, hire buses and transport people, lead rallies and hold public meetings. They are received by Pakistan’s diplomatic corps when they travel overseas,” she said.

“They (MMA) are being viewed as a safe opposition, where people can vent their frustrations without the wrath of the state is falling on them. This is playing with fire,” she was quoted as saying. AFP adds from Jaipur: The former prime minister who was on her way to offer prayers at shrine of a revered Sufi saint, ruled out any agitation against Musharraf’s rule.

“In the present international scenario we are not thinking in these terms,” she said. On talks with India, Ms Bhutto said the dialogue would be more meaningful if Islamabad was represented by “elected” leaders.