This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6974083.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Bhutto vows early Pakistan return | Bhutto vows early Pakistan return |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto says she will return to the country "very soon", despite having reached no power-sharing deal with the government. | Former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto says she will return to the country "very soon", despite having reached no power-sharing deal with the government. |
Ms Bhutto had been in talks to become PM again, with beleaguered Gen Pervez Musharraf stepping down as army chief but seeking a new term as president. | Ms Bhutto had been in talks to become PM again, with beleaguered Gen Pervez Musharraf stepping down as army chief but seeking a new term as president. |
Ms Bhutto said she would announce the date of her return on 14 September. | Ms Bhutto said she would announce the date of her return on 14 September. |
Another former PM, Nawaz Sharif, has announced he will return on 10 September to challenge Gen Musharraf. | |
Corruption charges | |
Ms Bhutto was speaking at a press conference in London, where she had been meeting key officials of her Pakistan People's Party. | Ms Bhutto was speaking at a press conference in London, where she had been meeting key officials of her Pakistan People's Party. |
KEY DATES 23 Aug: Supreme Court says exiled ex-PM Nawaz Sharif can return10 Sep: Date Mr Sharif says he will return14 Sep: Date Ms Bhutto will announce details of homecoming15 Sep-15 Oct: Timeframe Gen Musharraf has set for re-election as president Bhutto's extraordinary career Q&A: Political crisis | |
Ms Bhutto said: "We have been in contact with the present regime on the restoration of democracy." | Ms Bhutto said: "We have been in contact with the present regime on the restoration of democracy." |
She said the talks were "80% successful" but that differences remained on "the sovereignty of parliament and the presidential and parliamentary elections". | |
Ms Bhutto added: "We are making our own plans to return to the country." | |
She said Pakistan needed "internal reconciliation". | She said Pakistan needed "internal reconciliation". |
"We must return to the roots of moderation and democracy and ensuring governmental authority the length and breadth of the country." | "We must return to the roots of moderation and democracy and ensuring governmental authority the length and breadth of the country." |
Ms Bhutto has served two terms as prime minister - from 1988 to 1990 and from 1993 to 1996. | |
She was dismissed for alleged corruption on both occasions but has steadfastly denied all accusations. She left Pakistan in 1999 and has not returned. | |
Although she has not been convicted, corruption charges still hang over her. | |
Coup | |
Gen Musharraf is seeking support in his hopes to be re-elected as president. | Gen Musharraf is seeking support in his hopes to be re-elected as president. |
But he is under pressure, including from the US, to honour a commitment to stand down as army chief. | But he is under pressure, including from the US, to honour a commitment to stand down as army chief. |
Gen Musharraf has also suffered a number of legal setbacks, including a Supreme Court ruling that the exiled Mr Sharif can return. | Gen Musharraf has also suffered a number of legal setbacks, including a Supreme Court ruling that the exiled Mr Sharif can return. |
Gen Musharraf overthrew Mr Sharif in a coup in 1999. The former PM was jailed for life but then exiled. He could still face arrest when he returns. | |
Under current Pakistani law, prime ministers cannot serve more than two terms - which would disqualify both Ms Bhutto and Mr Sharif. | |
At her press conference, Ms Bhutto said Mr Sharif had embarked on a "personal vendetta" against Gen Musharraf. |