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Ex-PM Bhutto arrives in Pakistan Ex-PM Bhutto arrives in Pakistan
(20 minutes later)
Pakistan's ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto wept as she set foot on Pakistani soil for the first time after eight years of self-imposed exile.Pakistan's ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto wept as she set foot on Pakistani soil for the first time after eight years of self-imposed exile.
She has returned for power-sharing talks with President Pervez Musharraf, which could see her becoming PM again.She has returned for power-sharing talks with President Pervez Musharraf, which could see her becoming PM again.
Her return was greeted by about 200,000 supporters surrounding the airport and lining roads leading into the city. Her return was greeted by about 200,000 supporters surrounding Karachi airport and lining roads leading into the city.
There is also a huge security presence amid Islamist threats to assassinate both Ms Bhutto and Gen Musharraf. There is a huge security presence amid Islamist threats to assassinate both Ms Bhutto and Gen Musharraf.
The BBC's Owen Bennett-Jones was on board the flight carrying Ms Bhutto from Dubai to Karachi, Pakistan's largest city.The BBC's Owen Bennett-Jones was on board the flight carrying Ms Bhutto from Dubai to Karachi, Pakistan's largest city.
The ex-prime minister said that she was "excited and overwhelmed" to be back in Pakistan, our correspondent said.
The streets from the airport are packed with peopleEnlarge Image "It just goes to show that miracles can happen," she added.The streets from the airport are packed with peopleEnlarge Image "It just goes to show that miracles can happen," she added.
The ex-prime minister said she was "excited and overwhelmed" to be back in Pakistan, our correspondent said.
Ms Bhutto was accompanied by about 100 members of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP).Ms Bhutto was accompanied by about 100 members of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
At least 200,000 people have turned out to greet her in Karachi, lining the 6km (four mile) route from the airport into the city.At least 200,000 people have turned out to greet her in Karachi, lining the 6km (four mile) route from the airport into the city.
The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Karachi says many people are dressed in the red, black and green colours of Ms Bhutto's PPP party and there is a carnival atmosphere, with music playing and food stalls in place.The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Karachi says many people are dressed in the red, black and green colours of Ms Bhutto's PPP party and there is a carnival atmosphere, with music playing and food stalls in place.
However, there were some scuffles ahead of Mrs Bhutto's arrival, our correspondent says, as a number of people broke through a police cordon to enter the grounds of the airport. HAVE YOUR SAY I believe Benazir's return brings a renewed sense of hope Hamaad Haider, Karachi class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3696&edition=1">Send us your comments Many of them have been bussed in from outlying areas by Ms Bhutto's PPP - a show of organisational strength which the ex-prime minister hopes will boost her chances of a return to power, correspondents report.
The BBC's Damian Grammaticas, also in Karachi, says that despite being away for eight years, Ms Bhutto is still enormously popular and enjoys great support, as a scion of Pakistan's pre-eminent political dynasty.
As Ms Bhutto's plane touched down the crowd began cheering and surged forward, but were beaten back by police and security guards wielding batons.
Assassination threatAssassination threat
Authorities have tried to persuade Ms Bhutto not to undertake a long procession through Karachi to the tomb of Pakistan's founding father, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, where she plans an address, due to security concerns.Authorities have tried to persuade Ms Bhutto not to undertake a long procession through Karachi to the tomb of Pakistan's founding father, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, where she plans an address, due to security concerns.
But Ms Bhutto said before leaving that she was undeterred: "I do not believe that any true Muslim will make an attack on me because Islam forbids attacks on women and Muslims know that if they attack a woman they will burn in hell." But Ms Bhutto said before leaving Dubai that she was undeterred: "I do not believe that any true Muslim will make an attack on me because Islam forbids attacks on women and Muslims know that if they attack a woman they will burn in hell."
KEY DATES 06 Oct: Presidential polls held 17 Oct: Supreme Court resumes hearing challenges to Musharraf candidacy 18 Oct: Date ex-PM Benazir Bhutto has set for her homecoming 15 Nov: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be held by mid-January In pictures: Karachi prepares Flying into uncertaintyKEY DATES 06 Oct: Presidential polls held 17 Oct: Supreme Court resumes hearing challenges to Musharraf candidacy 18 Oct: Date ex-PM Benazir Bhutto has set for her homecoming 15 Nov: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be held by mid-January In pictures: Karachi prepares Flying into uncertainty
About 20,000 troops and police have been deployed in the city to oversee Ms Bhutto's arrival amid threats by Islamist militants to assassinate both her and Gen Musharraf.About 20,000 troops and police have been deployed in the city to oversee Ms Bhutto's arrival amid threats by Islamist militants to assassinate both her and Gen Musharraf.
Some 2,500 paramilitary troops have been deployed around the airport, according to one security spokesman.Some 2,500 paramilitary troops have been deployed around the airport, according to one security spokesman.
Javed Iqbal Cheema, a Pakistani interior ministry official, said he was confident about security arrangements.
"I'm sure the [provincial] government will take all possible measures to provide foolproof security arrangements which I'm told are already in place," he said.
Gen Musharraf had asked Ms Bhutto to delay her return until the Supreme Court decided whether he was eligible to serve as president for another term.Gen Musharraf had asked Ms Bhutto to delay her return until the Supreme Court decided whether he was eligible to serve as president for another term.
Tackling extremistsTackling extremists
Gen Musharraf easily won a presidential vote on 6 October after opposition deputies in the national and provincial assemblies - which choose the president - either boycotted or abstained from the vote.Gen Musharraf easily won a presidential vote on 6 October after opposition deputies in the national and provincial assemblies - which choose the president - either boycotted or abstained from the vote.
"She is the mediocre daughter of a great leader."In pictures"She is the mediocre daughter of a great leader."In pictures
However, the Supreme Court said that he could not be officially declared the winner until it had finished ruling on objections to his candidacy. However, the Supreme Court said he could not be officially declared the winner until it had finished ruling on objections to his candidacy.
Ms Bhutto left the country soon after Gen Musharraf seized power in a coup.Ms Bhutto left the country soon after Gen Musharraf seized power in a coup.
Washington has backed a power-sharing deal with Gen Musharraf which would see Ms Bhutto becoming prime minister.Washington has backed a power-sharing deal with Gen Musharraf which would see Ms Bhutto becoming prime minister.
It has become increasingly concerned over the military's inability to defeat Islamist extremists and Gen Musharraf's rising unpopularity.It has become increasingly concerned over the military's inability to defeat Islamist extremists and Gen Musharraf's rising unpopularity.