Bhutto to return to Pakistan 'next week'

Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto will return as planned next week, a spokesman said.

Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto will return as planned next week, a spokesman said.

Ms Bhutto is scheduled to fly home from eight years in self-exile a day after the Supreme Court reconvenes to consider challenges to Gen Musharraf's eligibility in a presidential election last Saturday in which he swept most votes.

Gen Musharraf, the country's president, had called on her to wait until a court rules on the legality of his re-election.

It is not clear how long the court will take to reach a decision on opposition objections to Gen Musharraf's re-election while still army chief.

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Gen Musharraf and Ms Bhutto have been in talks for months on a power-sharing pact. In a major step towards a deal, Gen Musharraf last week announced an ordinance dropping corruption charges against Ms Bhutto and other public office holders from 1985 to 1999.

In return, members of parliament from Ms Bhutto's party, unlike other opposition parliamentarians, did not resign but only abstained when legislators voted for Gen Musharraf, giving the process legitimacy.