Bhutto announces Pakistan return



Pakistani ex-PM Benazir Bhutto will return from self-imposed exile on 18 October, despite no power-sharing deal with the government, her party says.
A top member of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) told journalists in Islamabad that Ms Bhutto would "bring back true democracy to Pakistan".
Ms Bhutto, who has failed to reach a deal with President Musharraf, could face corruption charges on her return.
She wants him to resign as army chief and seek a new term as president.

The BBC's Barbara Plett, in Islamabad, says Ms Bhutto's negotiations with the weakened military ruler are unpopular with both her party and with many Pakistanis.

Our correspondent says it is not yet clear whether she will return as the general's opposition or his main political support.
Analysts say the failure of the ruling pro-military PML-Q party to bring greater support and legitimacy to the army-led government forced Gen Musharraf to seek a dialogue with Ms Bhutto, whose party received the largest number of votes in the 2002 elections.


Correspondents say top US officials, who want Gen Musharraf's continued support for their "war on terror", feel that Ms Bhutto could bring greater acceptance to the government.

Another former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, made an abortive bid to return to Pakistan on Monday to challenge Gen Musharraf.

He was deported to Saudi Arabia within hours, after being charged with money laundering and corruption.

The government says Ms Bhutto will not face deportation.

'Long live Benazir'

Ms Bhutto's supporters erupted into chants of "Long Live Benazir! Prime Minister Benazir!" when the announcement was made by the PPP's vice president, Makhdoom Amin Fahim.

He called on supporters and voters to receive Ms Bhutto on her arrival at the airport in Karachi, the capital of her home province of Sindh.


Her planned return comes shortly after Gen Musharraf is expected to seek to extend his eight-year rule in elections sometime between 15 September and 15 October.

Parliamentary elections are expected to be held by January 2008.

Ms Bhutto has held talks with the government, indicating that her party may be willing to accept Gen Musharraf if he gives up his post as the army chief.

She wants to strike down a constitutional clause that gives the president discretionary powers to dissolve assemblies and governments.

She has also demanded the withdrawal of cases against her and Mr Sharif, and wants to reverse a constitutional amendment that bars prime ministerial candidates from seeking more than two terms in office.

The current law would disqualify both Ms Bhutto and Mr Sharif. Ms Bhutto served as prime minister - from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996.

She was dismissed for alleged corruption on both occasions but has steadfastly denied all accusations. She left Pakistan in 1999, although she was never convicted.

BBC

BENAZIR Bhutto’s decision to return to Pakistan on Oct 18 is a welcome one. She must however realise that she is returning to a changed country whose people are more aware of their surroundings thanks to a free media and an independent judiciary — which cannot be muzzled any more. It is hoped that by now she has learnt from her past mistakes — which are numerous. She has an opportunity to prove herself as a national leader if she focuses on bringing together all political players on a united platform for the purpose of restoring democracy under a civilian president. She must also make it clear that she is doing so because it best serves the interest of Pakistan rather than that of the current dispensation of western backers. Her parleys with a military dictator, however benign he may be perceived to be, might not have significantly affected her vote bank but they have damaged her reputation and her party’s as a democratic force. She now has the opportunity to undo that damage and restore her credibility. If it later emerges that she has indeed struck a deal with Gen Musharraf, one can only hope that she did so under a national reconciliation process rather than for personal gain as most people believe. Ms Bhutto’s past record is tainted with corruption charges, even if they have not been proved in Pakistan. She will have to work extra hard to convince everyone that she is working for the good of the country.

Many of the critical issues facing the country require a national consensus and Ms Bhutto must pave the way for that to take place. As someone who has plenty of experience in struggling for democracy, she must rise above petty politics and work towards bringing everyone together to tackle the many challenges that threaten the country’s security. Arguably, the main issue is the rise in militancy and extremism which can be attributed to Gen Musharraf’s insistence in the last election on keeping the two national parties (PPP and PML-N) out of the playing field. This created a political vacuum which was quickly filled by right-wing voices preaching hate and violence. The result is now clear for everyone to see and requires the immediate attention of all political parties.

It is important that the government not create hurdles in Ms Bhutto’s return like it did for Nawaz Sharif who also had the right to return and face corruption charges against him. The government must also not be seen as giving Ms Bhutto any preferential treatment for that will give the impression that the playing field for politicians is tilted to favour a few. Ms Bhutto should be allowed to defend herself and the government should allow the courts to do their job. In the same vein, Mrs Nawaz Sharif’s anticipated arrival after Eid should not be thwarted. Even though at this moment it may not appear so, this is an election year. In order for them to be free and fair, justice must be perceived as having been done.

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