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Bhutto announces Pakistan return

Other News Materials 14 September 2007 21:36 (UTC +04:00)

(BBC) 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 says that Gen Musharraf cannot be both president and head of the army.

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 opponent 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.

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