ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has reportedly ordered that an anti-corruption cell dealing with cases against former premier Benazir Bhutto be winded up, setting off speculation that he may permit her return as part of a deal with the PPP leader.
The government has wound up the National Accountability Bureau's Special Operation Wing mainly focusing on cases against Bhutto and her husband Asif Ali Zardari, an unnamed government official was quoted as saying by the media here.
However, there was no official announcement in this regard.
The official said NAB's Deputy Chairman Hassan Waseem Afzal, who was in-charge of the wing that dealt with the cases against Bhutto, has been transferred and made personal secretary to Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool.
The government's move is being seen as a major initiative towards reaching an understanding with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) headed by Bhutto ahead of the polls.
"The wing had been closed on the orders of Musharraf because he was disappointed with its performance," one report said.
The blame for lack of success was shifted on to Afzal who was accused of pursuing personal agenda targeting PPP, The News reported.
He was also accused of misusing his authority and wasting funds, it said.
The PPP reacted cautiously to the reported closure of the NAB wing, saying it could be a propaganda exercise by the government to discredit the party.
"If they have winded up the NAB cell, why was there was no official announcement and why was it leaked to the media," PPP spokesman Faratullah Babar asked.
He said Afzal may have been transferred to Punjab because he was needed to 'manipulate' the polls there.
Also the party was not aware of any letter sent to courts about the cases, he said adding the Pakistan government was gearing up to proceed against Bhutto in cases pending in a Swiss court.
PPP Secretary-General Raja Pervez Ashraf said the NAB, which was established for 'twisting the arms of anti-government politicians, had also lost its utility, and should be abolished.'
Over a dozen corruption cases are pending against Bhutto and Zardari and Musharraf has repeatedly held out threats that Bhutto would be arrested if she returned home.
Last year, the Pakistan government even informed the Interpol about the warrants against the two, a move aimed at pressuring Bhutto to permit her party to support him.
The PPP leader consistently refused despite pressure from the United States. However, she linked any rapprochement to her return and dissolution of cases against her.
