Govt, Opp evince cautious welcome
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has expressing the fear of chaos in upcoming general elections after the return of Benazir Bhutto said that she is ignorant of ground realities and her political graph has declined.
While talking to private TV channel, he said that Ms. Benazir Bhutto has used Sindh Card to decide to land in Karachi, however, she has returned to the country with the cooperation of the government and her understanding with it. He said that it is unfortunate that political leaders do not tell the real situation to masses. Benazir Bhutto should inform the public that she is returning to Pakistan under National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).
He expressed the hope that PPP would accompany ruling PML-Q in future under the dynamic leadership of President Musharraf, saying that civilian president of Pakistan is the most powerful person of the world that possess the power of 58 (2) B which he can exercise any time. He further said that political parties had favored President Musharraf in their own way but those elements are better who served the people while remaining in power and supported President five years later. He continued that Benazir Bhutto attempt to play Sindh card to talk about the Punjabi Prime Minister and her decision to land in Karachi was the part of this strategy, he added and adding that now the time has changed and only few number of people from Rawalpindi have left for Karachi for her reception. He said that I admit it that the reception of Benazir Bhutto would be historic, however the political situation of the country is not like of 1986.
Replying to a question, he said that he would prefer the opposition benches if Benazir Bhutto took oath as PM under NRO. Replying to another question he said that the scope of NRO should be extended and Sharif brothers should be included in it. While commenting on the relations between PPP and MQM, he said that MQM would be the part of the next government.
Secretary General Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman on Thursday welcomed PPPPChairperson on her return to country saying her political careerwould depend on the line of action she adopts in future. Talking to newsmen the MMA Secretary General said that Benazir Bhutto is of course leader of a big political party and gathering of big crowd on her arrival is not surprising. He said Pakistan is her country and she has the right to live here and play her role in country’s politics.
It is however unfortunate that one former Prime Minister was expelled from the country after his arrival while another is being welcomed with protocol, he said.
He said that frequent pro-American statements and the deal scenario will of course have adverse affect on her political career adding it will be seen as how she manages to adjust herself with the people at home. To a question the veteran politician said that MMA during talks with the government discussed constitutional and political issues while PPPP Chairperson discussed personal agenda.
In the beginning they (PPPP) leadership was making big claims about dialogue with government saying they were discussing ways and means to move the country towards real democracy but the outcome was National Reconciliation Ordinance which everybody knows is a personal gain of Benazir Bhutto and her associates. Maulana said that people have become politically more aware and there is no room for politics of slogans and gimmicks now.