Islamabad: Denying its hand in the rejection of nomination papers of former Premier Benazir Bhutto from contesting the October general elections, Pakistan government on August 31 accused her of trying to stroke differences between Punjab and Sindh provinces.

Pakistan's Information Minister Nisar Memon said the government has nothing to do with the election officials decision to reject her papers.

"The decision regarding rejection of nomination papers of Benazir Bhutto was taken by the returning officer of the Election Commission, which is an independent body," he said.

Bhutto's nomination forms were rejected on the grounds that she has been convicted by the Accountability Court.

Pakistan Peoples Party had alleged that the decision by election officials to accept the nomination papers of Nawaz Sharif and reject that of Bhutto pointed to a discriminatory attitude shown towards Sindhis.

"Does she want to weaken the federation?" he asked.

"It does not behove the leader of her stature to make such irresponsible statements. It is very dangerous," he said.

He said no one should try to play the Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan or Frontier card at a time when the country was moving towards Democracy.

PTI