Exclusive: Zardari admits to talks with regime

Asif Ali Zardari, jailed husband of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, said yesterday the Pakistan People's Party was "definitely" engaged in a dialogue with the military regime through its parliamentary leader on forming a majority coalition to break the current deadlock.

He was talking to Gulf News at a court before he left for Karachi under police escort later in the day after the government allowed him to see his sick mother in a hospital in the southern port city.

In jail for past six years, Zardari vehemently objected to the use of the word "deal" regarding the talks PPP Parliamentarians leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim is holding with the government.

"There is definitely a dialogue between Fahim and powers that be, but no deal. There is talk of accommodation, a policy of co-existence," he said when asked about reported deal offered to him for his release.

"The word deal has been coined by the establishment to undermine politicians. Nobody has the gall to make any indecent proposals to me," he said.

"Mr Fahim is talking to me on different proposals and there is a thought process going on in the party. I have told them that I am a small fry and the real person to talk to is party's chairperson (Benazir Bhutto).

"I don't say I don't want to be released. Every caged bird wants to be free and flying but will think twice if there are foxes outside."

Clad in a safari suit and looking relaxed, Zardari leaned on a crutch as he walked from his seat in the court where he is being tried on corruption charges. He has been suffering from backbone problem for several years.

A senior government official said Zardari was allowed to stay in Karachi for two days only. Sardar Khalid, a close aide to Zardari, said the government granted permission on humanitarian grounds and this had no connection with any deal.

"A government of national consensus is in the interest of the present regime," Zardari said. "My view is that PPP will perform better if it sits in the opposition. I will have nowhere to go if I strike any clandestine deal with the powers that be and I don't want to put myself in a situation where whatever I have sacrificed in the past six years go waste."

A former senator and former investment minister when Bhutto was in power, Zardari was arrested in November 1996 after the premature dismissal of her wife's government by then president Farooq Ahmed Leghari.

The couple faces a raft of corruption charges and Zardari also has criminal cases pending against him.

His departure for Karachi fuelled speculation, as did Fahim's meetings with him in a hospital in Islamabad, that the visit signalled a deal was now around the corner.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was exiled to Saudi Arabia in December 2000 a year after his overthrow in a military coup.

The deal for Sharif's release and exile was brokered by the Saudi authorities. Both former prime ministers were barred from contesting the October 10 elections, but their parties were allowed to take part.

The PPPP won 81 seats in the 342-seat parliament, ranking second after pro-government Pakistan Muslim League-QA which emerged as the single largest party, but without simple majority to be able to form government. The six-party religious alliance Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) secured third position in the assembly.

Amid the dragging deadlock caused by splintered mandate, Musharraf on Wednesday postponed scheduled inaugural session of the parliament to give more time to the parties for consultations on government formation.

The postponement has drawn flak from opposition parties, accusing the military ruler of trying to give time to pro-regime party to widen its support base with covert government help. The delay was mainly requested by the PML-QA and some other allied groups.

Earlier, a PPPP legislator-elect said yesterday quiet talks were under way with the military regime in a bid to end the current deadlock caused by a hung parliament.

"Contacts with the government are very much on with the consent of Benazir Bhutto," Faisal Saleh Hayat told Gulf News.

He said the regime wanted the PPPP to form a coalition with the PML-QA in return for certain concessions including release of Asif Zardari.

"Certain office holders, who are outside the parliament, are opposing an understanding with the government and trying to create hurdles," he said, without naming anyone.

"But a sizeable number from amongst the 81 elected to the National Assembly in the recent polls want an understanding with the regime and participation in government," he said.

According to sources the terms offered by the government fall short of the party's expectations. They said the party was demanding release of Zardari and other detained leaders, withdrawal of all cases against Bhutto and her spouse and allowing the couple to resume their political life in Pakistan after sometime.

Our Karachi Correspondent adds: Zardari has been shifted to a hospital in Karachi, where his ailing mother is also admitted.

The private Ziauddin Hospital, located roughly two to three kilometres from Bhutto's residence, called Bilawal House, has been declared a sub-jail by the authorities, senior party leader Nabil Gabol told Gulf News.

Scores of policemen in combat gear threw a security ring around the hospital ahead of the arrival of Zardari, who was brought from airport in armoured personnel carrier escorted by several police vehicles.

"I have not been released... I am here to see my mother," Zardari told reporters who kept asking him about the much talked-about deal. "I have come here in grief, don't ask me such questions," said Zardari as he was taken to his private room.