Bhutto plans to run in next Pakistan election
Friday, 3 August 2007
DUBAI, Aug 2 (AFP): Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto said she will return from exile this year to take part in a general election due next year, according to an interview published Thursday.
"Yes, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and I will be part of an election in Pakistan this year," Bhutto told the English-language Emirates Today newspaper.
Bhutto, who has lived in self-imposed exile in London and Dubai since 1998 because of corruption allegations against her, could be detained on the charges if she goes back to Pakistan.
She held secret talks in Abu Dhabi Friday with Pakistan's embattled military ruler Pervez Musharraf about a pre-election power-sharing deal, but they reached no agreement on two key issues, Pakistani officials said.
The sticking points were Musharraf's dual role as president and head of Pakistan's powerful army and a rule that prevents Bhutto having a third term as premier.
General elections are due by early 2008.
Bhutto said talks between her political party and the government aimed to restore stability to Pakistan, but it was too soon to be certain of their outcome.
"The contacts between the PPP and the Musharraf regime are aimed at restoring democracy and the rule of law," Bhutto told the UAE newspaper.
"It is too early to say whether a deal may be brokered to re-establish democracy in Pakistan but both sides are discussing the issue."
"Yes, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and I will be part of an election in Pakistan this year," Bhutto told the English-language Emirates Today newspaper.
Bhutto, who has lived in self-imposed exile in London and Dubai since 1998 because of corruption allegations against her, could be detained on the charges if she goes back to Pakistan.
She held secret talks in Abu Dhabi Friday with Pakistan's embattled military ruler Pervez Musharraf about a pre-election power-sharing deal, but they reached no agreement on two key issues, Pakistani officials said.
The sticking points were Musharraf's dual role as president and head of Pakistan's powerful army and a rule that prevents Bhutto having a third term as premier.
General elections are due by early 2008.
Bhutto said talks between her political party and the government aimed to restore stability to Pakistan, but it was too soon to be certain of their outcome.
"The contacts between the PPP and the Musharraf regime are aimed at restoring democracy and the rule of law," Bhutto told the UAE newspaper.
"It is too early to say whether a deal may be brokered to re-establish democracy in Pakistan but both sides are discussing the issue."