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Bhutto upbeat over power-sharing Bhutto upbeat over power-sharing
(20 minutes later)
Ex-Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto has said she is "optimistic" of a power-sharing deal with President Pervez Musharraf.Ex-Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto has said she is "optimistic" of a power-sharing deal with President Pervez Musharraf.
But Ms Bhutto, who has demanded an amnesty on corruption charges against her, said nothing was yet finalised. She said conditions over an amnesty on corruption charges against her had been verbally agreed with officials.
Gen Musharraf wants Ms Bhutto to stop any boycott of a parliamentary vote on Saturday which is expected to re-elect him president. She said her party did not expect to join a boycott of a parliamentary vote on Saturday, which is expected to see Gen Musharraf re-elected as president.
Ms Bhutto has pledged to return to Pakistan from self-exile on 18 October to fight general elections. Ms Bhutto has pledged to return to Pakistan from self-exile on 18 October to fight general elections in January.
She left Pakistan before Gen Musharraf took power in 1999.She left Pakistan before Gen Musharraf took power in 1999.
CredibilityCredibility
Speaking after talks with her opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in London, Ms Bhutto said: "We are optimistic today, but I cannot say everything is finalised.Speaking after talks with her opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in London, Ms Bhutto said: "We are optimistic today, but I cannot say everything is finalised.
"Gen Musharraf has said he wants national reconciliation. We want that too. The nation should move from the past to a better future.""Gen Musharraf has said he wants national reconciliation. We want that too. The nation should move from the past to a better future."
Gen Musharraf is aiming for presidential re-election on SaturdayShe said there had been "hectic negotiations and discussions and assurances" over the text of an ordinance, or government order. Gen Musharraf is aiming for presidential re-election on SaturdayShe said there had been "hectic negotiations and discussions and assurances" during which the terms for a written document, or ordinance, were agreed.
Ms Bhutto said: "If the national reconciliation ordinance is accordingly worded, we expect there will be an understanding on a transition towards democracy."Ms Bhutto said: "If the national reconciliation ordinance is accordingly worded, we expect there will be an understanding on a transition towards democracy."
She added that if a deal were reached she would not carry through a threat to withdraw her party from parliament. She added that if the deal was completed she would not carry through a threat to withdraw the PPP, the country's largest party, from parliament.
"We will not vote for President Musharraf as we cannot vote for a uniformed president and this has been understood by both sides.
She said her party's lawmakers would not resign but that: "We will either contest the elections or we will abstain from the voting."
Such a mass resignation threatened to undermine the credibility of Saturday's vote.Such a mass resignation threatened to undermine the credibility of Saturday's vote.
"We will either contest the elections or we will abstain from the voting," she said.
But Ms Bhutto made clear that PPP members would not be voting for Gen Musharraf as he was "a uniformed president".
Ms Bhutto had demanded that Gen Musharraf step down as head of the army.
Correspondents say that his pledge to resign and be sworn in as a civilian if re-elected has been enough to reassure Ms Bhutto.
Popular supportPopular support
In Islamabad, Pakistan cabinet minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the government was close to an agreement on power-sharing. Scores of opposition MPs have resigned from Pakistan's national parliament and provincial assemblies in protest at Saturday's election.
"Things are going in the right direction, as I have been saying for the past several days," Mr Ahmed said. They insist that Gen Musharraf is ineligible to stand while also remaining army chief.
KEY DATES 2 Oct: Date main opposition alliance began boycotting assemblies 06 Oct: Presidential vote to be held, election commission says 18 Oct: Date ex-PM Benazir Bhutto has set for her homecoming 15 Nov: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be heldKEY DATES 2 Oct: Date main opposition alliance began boycotting assemblies 06 Oct: Presidential vote to be held, election commission says 18 Oct: Date ex-PM Benazir Bhutto has set for her homecoming 15 Nov: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be held
"Wait for five or six hours, and everything will be clear by that time." In Islamabad, Pakistan cabinet minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the government was close to an agreement on power-sharing and that "things are going in the right direction".
In addition to the amnesty, Ms Bhutto wants the president to give up his power to sack the prime minister.In addition to the amnesty, Ms Bhutto wants the president to give up his power to sack the prime minister.
She also wants the repeal of a law banning anyone from being prime minister for more that two terms. She also wants the repeal of a law banning anyone from being prime minister for more that two terms. She and political rival Nawaz Sharif have both been premier twice before.
She and political rival Nawaz Sharif have both been prime minister twice before.
Observers say Gen Musharraf wants a power-sharing agreement with the PPP, the country's largest party, to give him more popular support.Observers say Gen Musharraf wants a power-sharing agreement with the PPP, the country's largest party, to give him more popular support.
He will also hope for PPP support after the general election in which the ruling party is expected to fare badly, they say.He will also hope for PPP support after the general election in which the ruling party is expected to fare badly, they say.