LAHORE, Nov 26: The Interior Minister, Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, has said that in view of the general perception that the cases against Benazir Bhutto were politically-motivated, this government would try to determine the extent of that victimization, if any.

Talking to Dawn on Tuesday, he said he could also play a role in removing misgivings between Gen Musharraf and Ms Bhutto provided both sides felt the need for it.

The minister said cases against the self-exiled former prime minister were to be decided by courts. However, if the government felt the need some cases could be looked into.

He strongly criticized those who had taken the PPP hostage for personal reasons. Today, he said the PPP was a leaderless and directionless party and the “clique” controlling it wanted to systematically disintegrate it.

Faisal recalled that the PPP had been practising the politics of alliances and its future was bleak with the ARD virtually coming to an end.

He claimed that a large number of PPP MNAs and MPAs were thinking of an honourable way to quit the party.

Asked how he and the other P-5 leaders would honour their commitments they made with their electorates after joining hands with the PML-Q, the minister said both sides respect each other’s points of view.

Replying to a question, he said Ms Bhutto had been changing the party policy on various occasions. The party, he said, had been flirting with the PML-N, MMA and PML-Q with the sole purpose of forming its own government. But, today, it stands isolated.

“The party is being remote-controlled. A clique is exploiting Ms Bhutto’s absence from Pakistan.”