Islamabad, Nov 13: Pakistan’s Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that former premier Benazir Bhutto has no future in Pakistan, and added that anyone except her could become the next Prime Minister of the country.

"People know that she is corrupt and the nation will vote for those who served them and not for those politicians who preferred to flee abroad due to fear of jail, " he told reporters here.

Rashid said that the planned November 13 long march of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would be a futile exercise, as the people knew the real motives of Bhutto.

He said the government and the PPP had held dialogue during the last one-and-a-half years and Bhutto had always stressed on withdrawal of cases against her.

Rashid said the government brought the National Reconciliation Ordinance in the supreme national interest and smooth transition from army to civilian rule.

It was due to the NRO that Bhutto was addressing public rallies in the country, he added.

Rashid said even the issue of lifting ban on third time premiership had been settled with Bhutto, but now under pressure from Nawaz Sharif, she was demanding restoration of deposed judges.

Rashid said first Bhutto was demanding election schedule and separation of the two offices of President and Army Chief, but now she had come up with new demands.

About return of Nawaz Sharif, he said the PML-N top leader cannot do so before the general elections, as he prefers to live in palace instead of facing charges in Pakistan.

Answering a question when emergency would be lifted, Rashid said: "It is our internal matter and emergency will be lifted at an appropriate time.

When asked about the credibility of elections and the threat of the All Parties Democratic Alliance (APDM) to boycott the polls, Rashid said some political parties did not have candidates in the districts and that was why they were talking about poll boycott.

"We are thankful to Musharraf for announcing a timeframe for holding free and fair elections to solve problems of the country, " he said.

The News quoted Rashid as saying that all the arrested lawyers and members of the civil society would be released within few days.

About ban on private TV channels, Rashyid said except for one channel everything would be resolved. (ANI)