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Mixed messages over Bhutto return Mixed messages over Bhutto return
(about 2 hours later)
Government ministers in Pakistan have given conflicting accounts over whether former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto will be returning to the country.Government ministers in Pakistan have given conflicting accounts over whether former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto will be returning to the country.
Ms Bhutto left Pakistan in April 1998 after her husband was imprisoned. At the time she faced more than a dozen court cases alleging corruption. Ms Bhutto left Pakistan in April 1998. At the time she faced more than a dozen court cases alleging corruption and her husband was in prison.
There is now intense media speculation that Ms Bhutto's party is close to reaching an agreement.There is now intense media speculation that Ms Bhutto's party is close to reaching an agreement.
Any deal would allow her to return without facing any court cases.Any deal would allow her to return without facing any court cases.
'Final round''Final round'
Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has acknowledged that secret talks with some government representatives have taken place, but it has denied that an agreement is imminent.Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has acknowledged that secret talks with some government representatives have taken place, but it has denied that an agreement is imminent.
The PPP is the darkness of the past and a deal cannot be struck with the darkness Information Minister Mohammad Ali DurraniThe PPP is the darkness of the past and a deal cannot be struck with the darkness Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani
Pakistan's Railways Minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, has repeatedly stated on various TV talk shows over the past couple of weeks that negotiations between the government and the PPP are "in the final round".Pakistan's Railways Minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, has repeatedly stated on various TV talk shows over the past couple of weeks that negotiations between the government and the PPP are "in the final round".
He told one of his interviewers that both parties need each other - President Musharraf needs political support for his re-election while at the same time continuing as army chief.He told one of his interviewers that both parties need each other - President Musharraf needs political support for his re-election while at the same time continuing as army chief.
For her part, Ms Bhutto needs to be cleared of corruption charges so as to be able to return to the country ahead of general elections scheduled later this year.For her part, Ms Bhutto needs to be cleared of corruption charges so as to be able to return to the country ahead of general elections scheduled later this year.
But Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani has insisted that Sheikh Rashid has only been expressing his "personal opinion".But Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani has insisted that Sheikh Rashid has only been expressing his "personal opinion".
"The PPP is the darkness of the past and a deal cannot be struck with the darkness," Mr Durrani told state-run Pakistan Television on 11 April."The PPP is the darkness of the past and a deal cannot be struck with the darkness," Mr Durrani told state-run Pakistan Television on 11 April.
Judicial crisisJudicial crisis
Speculation over an agreement was sparked on 5 April when the government closed a special cell of the National Accountability Bureau investigating Ms Bhutto's overseas assets.Speculation over an agreement was sparked on 5 April when the government closed a special cell of the National Accountability Bureau investigating Ms Bhutto's overseas assets.
The PPP denies an agreement is imminentThe PPP denies an agreement is imminent
But Benazir Bhutto denied in an interview with a Pakistani TV channel that any of the cases pending against her had been withdrawn.But Benazir Bhutto denied in an interview with a Pakistani TV channel that any of the cases pending against her had been withdrawn.
She said that the PPP could not accept a president who was also the army chief.She said that the PPP could not accept a president who was also the army chief.
Some observers believe the concessions to the PPP have been made amid a raging judicial crisis that threatens President Musharraf's position as president and army chief.Some observers believe the concessions to the PPP have been made amid a raging judicial crisis that threatens President Musharraf's position as president and army chief.
They say the PPP has responded by only staging low-key protests over the controversial sacking of the country's top judge by the government.They say the PPP has responded by only staging low-key protests over the controversial sacking of the country's top judge by the government.
Opposition parties including the six-party religious alliance, the MMA, have criticised the PPP for refusing to join forces with them against the government over the sacking.Opposition parties including the six-party religious alliance, the MMA, have criticised the PPP for refusing to join forces with them against the government over the sacking.