Bhutto-Musharraf deal 'close'

Pakistan’s government is close to a power-sharing deal with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, it emerged today.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, a government minister who is close to President Musharraf, made the announcement as Mrs Bhutto said in London that the government is about to issue an amnesty which would quash corruption cases against her and others.

``Things are going in the right direction, as I have been saying for the past several days,'' Sheikh Ahmed said. ``Wait for five or six hours, and everything will be clear by that time.''

The amnesty has been Mrs Bhutto’s key demand.

She went into exile in London eight years to avoid arrest on corruption cases registered by another exiled former leader, Nawaz Sharif.

“I am hopeful that the national reconciliation ordinance will be promulgated today,” Mrs Bhutto said in London.

She also has been seeking a constitutional amendment that would allow her to seek the prime minister’s job for the third time and other measures that would create a level playing field for parliamentary elections that are to be held by January.

An agreement would head off a threatened mass resignation from Parliament by her Pakistan People’s Party just two days before President Musharraf seeks another five-year term.