The Pakistani government released Hakim Ali Zardari, the ageing father-in-law of former premier Benazir Bhutto from jail, but kept him under house arrest amid speculation that President Pervez Musharraf has begun relaxing curbs on political leaders to counter the growing influence of the pro-taliban religious parties.
Vice chairman of Pakistan People Party Makdhoom Amin Fahim, who met Musharraf on Monday and held talks with him on the current political and military situation, said here Tuesday that Hakim Zardari, who was in prison for past few years in connection with various corruption cases, has been released by officials in Karachi from the jail but kept under house arrest. Though Fahim declined to divulge the details of his discussions, PPP sources said chances are that a number of party leaders including Benazir's husband, Asif Ali Zardari, who are in prison facing corruption charges, could be released on bail. "It appears that the government is not going to oppose their bail petitions."
While declining to confirm this, Fahim, however, denied reports that Musharraf has agreed to permit Benazir to return from her self exile. "No such assurances have been given. However, I appealed to Musharraf to permit Benazir to return and release Asif Zaradai and other PPP leaders as they have not been convicted by any court," Fahim said. Bureau Report