ISLAMABAD, July 28: Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan Khan Niazi said on Saturday that it appeared that President Musharraf and Ms Bhutto were trying to negotiate a deal in which she would support his bid for another presidential term and, in return, the president would pave the way for her to return from exile and again become prime minister. The minister was talking to a private television channel here on Saturday.

Dr Afgan said that if an understanding developed between the government and the People’s Party Parliamentarians, it would be a good omen for the nation at this particular juncture. He said there was a dire need for national unity to overcome the problem of terrorism and extremism.

He said the PPP was a mainstream political party and if it came forward to play its role, it would be a landmark development.The PML leader claimed that he was confident that the ruling coalition was in a better position to enter into the election process and win the election on the basis of what he called its good performance.

The minister said that the PML, along with its coalition partners, had rendered unprecedented service during its tenure and the people of the country would respond positively in the election.

To a question, Dr Afgan said that he would contest election on a PML ticket.—AP/APP