LAHORE, July 27: Ms Benazir Bhutto has directed Makhdoom Amin Fahim to establish contact with anti-government forces to get their support to bring an end to the army's role in politics and restore genuine democracy in the country.

The self-exiled former prime minister's spokesman, Mr Munawwar Anjum, said at a news conference here on Tuesday that Mr Fahim had already started contacting other political forces, including Imran Khan, Dr Tahirul Qadri, Mian Azhar, Begum Abida Husain and Syed Fakhr Imam.

He said the MMA could also be approached if it was serious in the struggle for restoration of democracy. The spokesman demanded immediate release of Mr Asif Ali Zardari or the committee for roadmap to democracy would think of launching a movement.

After the release, Mr Anjum said, Mr Zardari would fill the void created by Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan's death. He said since Chaudhry Shujaat believed that Mr Zardari was not involved in the drug case, he should be set free without delay.

The PPP leader claimed that Ms Bhutto would become prime minister for a third time. He denied that Mr Zardari would be the party's candidate for the office of prime minister.