* Musharraf may allow BB's return to Pakistan by June next year
* 'Elements' fear BB's concessions may jeopardise PML-Q prospects
Staff Report
KARACHI: Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP)chaiPresident General Musharraf and Benazir Bhutto have worked out a deal ahead of next year's general elections and this arrangement will help the rperson return to Pakistan without any fear of arrest or state-sponsored harassment and intimidation, it is learnt.
According to insiders, Gen Musharraf has agreed to provide PPPP with an even playing field in next year's electoral contest to the extent that Benazir Bhutto may "vigorously" canvass for her candidates.
Sources said that while the general has previously ruled out the possibility of allowing Benazir Bhutto to contest the elections, he has now given his consent to "mediators" for her return to Pakistan by June next year.
Faced with relentless criticism from the West for not allowing democracy to take roots in a meaningful way by marginalising the mainstream forces in Pakistan, General Musharraf is learnt to have received indication during his recent visit to the US that he must open up space for the PPPP, which has scored points among the international community through its consistent anti-retrogressive stance on the Women's Bill in the Parliament in recent days.
Insiders told Daily Times that Gen Musharraf, who has strongly indicated in his book that he, in fact wanted the PPPP to be on board with him after the 2002 general elections, and was now contemplating even allowing Benazir Bhutto to contest the elections.
Sources added, however, that key establishment elements - who believe that such pro-Benazir concessions could seriously jeopardise the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid' s
(PML-Q) prospects across the country, particularly in Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP - prevailed upon him.
The PML-Q could face a serious situation even in Punjab in case Benazir is allowed to promote herself from two or three constituencies from central and upper Punjab, sources said.
Sources also claimed that PPPP's Pakistan leadership has been instructed by Benazir to contradict anything and everything suggesting a deal between her and the government as part of a strategy until her return to the country is imminent.
Insiders told Daily Times that a senior minister belonging to PPP (Patriots) has been tasked by Gen Musharraf to oversee a "patch-up" between him and the PPP.
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