ISLAMABAD, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The exiled former Pakistani prime minister and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairperson Benazir Bhutto would not be arrested upon her return to home, the Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was quoted by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) as saying on Monday.
Rashid said on a TV program of Geo that the
government had no intentions to block her on return as there was a better
understanding between PPP and the government.
Bhutto was only asked to reschedule her planned
return, but if she had finalized her schedule then government was ready to
welcome her, he said.
She had been informed of the factual position,
overall atmosphere in the country. Certain extremist elements wanted to vitiate
the atmosphere and derail democratic process, Rashid said, adding that Bhutto
should better delay her return and come back when general elections schedule was
announced.
Bhutto would convey her final return plan to the
government on Tuesday. She looked determined and it was likely that she would
stick to her schedule, Rashid said.
Bhutto should not blame the ruling Pakistan Muslim
League-Qaid (PML-Q) for creating impediments in the deal because President
Pervez Musharraf had full command on the party, Rashid stated. It was PML-Q who
made possible the election of President as others opted to boycott or resign, he
added.
PML-Q and PPP would fight elections against each
other. However, local-level understandings between the two were possible, Rashid
said and added that the cooperation between the two giants was possible after
the elections.
According to the National Reconciliation Ordinance
2007, which was signed and promulgated by Musharraf on Oct. 5, the corruption
cases Bhutto was facing would be withdrawn, paving the way for her return.
However, the Supreme Court on Friday held that any
benefit drawn by any public office holder under the Ordinance would be subject
to a final decision of the court, which was hearing some petitions challenging
the Ordinance.
Bhutto served twice as Pakistan's prime minister in
1988 and 1993. She was charged with corruption and faced a number of legal
proceedings in Pakistan. Bhutto has been living in exile since 1999.
