There is no possibility of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto being given a third prime ministerial term and the ruling PML-Q is no longer in contact with the Pakistan People's Party, Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said in Islamabad on Monday.
Ahmed, a close aide of President Pervez Musharraf, also ruled out the possibility of the Constitution article -- which gives the president the power to dismiss the prime minister and to dissolve parliament -- being abrogated as demanded by Bhutto.
"I can see anybody as prime minister but not Benazir Bhutto," said Ahmed, adding that there was no possibility of laws being amended to allow a third prime ministerial term for her.
Bhutto, who has already served as prime minister twice in the 1990s, returned to Pakistan from eight years in self-exile last month after Musharraf granted her amnesty in graft cases.
Ahmed said that Musharraf and Bhutto were still in contact but "every relation has ended between the PML-Q and the PPP".
During her secret parleys with Musharraf over the past few months, Bhutto has insisted on laws being amended to remove the bar on a third term as premier.
Describing Bhutto as the "most corrupt, dishonest, sluggish and extravagant" politician in Pakistan, Ahmed said the PML-Q had been affected by the government's decision to give her amnesty in corruption cases in the hope that it would lead to national reconciliation.
Criticising Bhutto for attacking the government in recent days over the imposition of emergency, Pakistan Railway Minister Ahmed said: "Benazir Bhutto is addressing rallies today only due to the National Reconciliation Ordinance (which led to the withdrawal of corruption cases against her).
"There will be no change in Article 58(2b) of the constitution," he said, referring to Bhutto's demand for the abrogation of the Constitutional provision.
Ahmed's remarks come in the wake of Bhutto ruling out further talks with Musharraf on a possible power-sharing arrangement. Bhutto vowed to lead a "long march" from Lahore to Islamabad to oppose the emergency imposed by Musharraf on November 3.
However, the government is gearing up to prevent the march since it is barred under the emergency rule.
Musharraf imposed a state of emergency in Pakistan on November 3 citing a wave of Islamic militant violence and interference by the judiciary in the workings of the government.
