Pakistan: Former Premier To Return As Planned
Former
Pakistani Prime Minister, Ms Benazir Bhutto will return as
planned on October 18th, despite President Pervez Musharraf’s
advice that she waits until the court rules on the legality of
his re-election.
Ms Bhutto is scheduled to fly home next week after eight years
in self imposed exile. She planned her return for a day after
the Supreme Court reconvenes to consider challenges to General
Musharraf's eligibility in a presidential election last
Saturday, in which he swept most votes.
It is unclear how long it will take the court to reach a
decision on oppositions’ objections to president Musharraf's
re-election while still an army chief.
"Ms Bhutto will return to Pakistan as scheduled on the 18th of
October," her spokesman, Farahtullah Babar said.
Political Moves
Musharraf and Bhutto have been in talks for months on a
power-sharing pact.
In a major step towards a deal, Musharraf last week promulgated
an ordinance dropping corruption charges against Bhutto and
other public office holders from 1985 to 1999.
In return, members of parliament from Ms Bhutto's party, unlike
other opposition parliamentarians, did not resign but only
abstained when legislators voted for Musharraf, giving the
process vital legitimacy.
The amnesty would appear to clear the way for a trouble-free
return for Bhutto, who intends to lead her party in a general
election due in early January.
President Musharraf had in an interview; said Bhutto should come
back after the Supreme Court had reached a decision on his
re-election.
"I would say she should not come before. We must tide over these
problems. She should come later," he said.
Musharraf, who seized power in a military coup in 1999, has
promised to quit the post of army chief before taking the oath
of office for the second term. His current term expires on
November 15.
REU/MIA
