ISLAMABAD, Oct 22: Talks between aides of President General Pervez Musharraf and Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto on the formation of a caretaker government were stopped by the government on Monday till the announcement of the Supreme Court verdict on the eligibility of the general to contest the presidential election.

Sources told Dawn the government team led by Tariq Aziz had informed the PPP that any decision on the interim set-up would be taken after the SC verdict expected by the end of the week.

The government, according to insiders, has made it clear that a verdict against Gen. Musharraf could change the entire political scenario, especially the understanding reached with the PPP.

The sources said the two sides had discussed several names, including Sahibzada Yaqoob Ali Khan, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, Dr. Ishrat Husain, and a former army chief Gen. (retd) Abdul Wahid Kakar, to head the interim government.

The PPP is reported to have suggested the name of Makhdoom Amin Fahim while the government wanted Tariq Aziz to be the caretaker prime minister.

However, the PPP team, comprising Amin Fahim and former FIA director general Rahman Malik, was reported to have agreed to a proposal that a retired Supreme Court judge should be considered for the job.

According to the sources, presidential aides have told the PPP negotiators in plain words that no action or inquiry would be initiated against the ‘three persons’ accused by Benazir Bhutto of being involved directly or indirectly in the October 18 Karachi bombings.

Ms. Bhutto has said that in a letter she wrote to President Musharraf before her arrival in Pakistan she mentioned ‘three names’ involved in a conspiracy to kill her.

Meanwhile, President’s spokesman Major General (retd) Rashid Qureshi has rejected Ms Bhutto’s allegation that Intelligence Bureau’s Director General Brig. Ijaz Shah was involved in the Karachi blasts.

In a statement, he defended the integrity of Brig. Ijaz Shah and said he had worked for peace and tranquillity in the country and made contributions to the fight against terrorism in the most professional manner.

Gen Qureshi said Brig Ijaz had unearthed many terrorist plots and was known for his dedication and commitment to the country.

The spokesman said the Intelligence Bureau had been transformed into a professional set-up and it was focusing on its mission of protecting and safeguarding national interests.

The sources said that Gen Musharraf’s team had told the PPP chairperson that the allegations levelled by her against three top government personalities were based on some misunderstanding.

A ruling PML source told Dawn that his party had decided to launch a counter-offensive against the PPP tirade.

“Not only that the party will go all out to expose Ms Bhutto’s double standards and getting amnesty after committing massive corruption during both her tenures as prime minister, it will also resist any undue concessions to the PPP in setting up interim government.”

The source said the talks deadlocked after PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain objected to certain terms being discussed.