Friday, 14 September 2007
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.
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