ISLAMABAD, Oct 17: Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani has said that on legal grounds both Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto will not be able to contest the next general elections.

In an interview to a private television channel, he said Mr Sharif had left his workers, party and voters and gone abroad in accordance with a deal.

As for Ms Bhutto, he added, there were cases against her that had been decided in her absence in international and Pakistani courts.

Therefore, the minister said, if the two decided to come back, they would not be able to participate in elections on legal grounds.

In reply to a question, he said there was no need for the government to make a deal with any political party.—APP