Benazir 'return flight' from Dubai

Dubai: Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto plans to begin her historic return flight to Pakistan from Dubai on October 18, ending her more than eight-year-old self-exile.

"I may fly from Dubai to Karachi to return to Pakistan," Bhutto, who is also chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), told Gulf News yesterday at her residence in Dubai where hundreds of her supporters gathered to greet her on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr.

It will be her last Eid in Dubai before returning to Pakistan in the run up to the general elections expected in January next year. However, she said the precise schedule will be announced on October 16.

A senior PPP official told Gulf News that although the decision to fly out of Dubai is not yet final, it will most likely happen. "It will be very hectic trip for Bhutto to take a flight from London and then stop over in Dubai for a few hours and then resume her journey to Pakistan," he said.

Instead, he added, a flight from Dubai to Karachi will be quite convenient because she will have a hectic long day ahead due to massive rallies planned in Karachi to welcome her.

Intentions

Bhutto, 54, will fly with a group of around 150 people including some PPP leaders based in the UAE and London, European Union parliamentarians, Commonwealth representatives and a large number of media persons. If she flies from Dubai, her aides booked on a London flight will join her in Dubai.

Speaking to party supporters yesterday, Bhutto, who was in a jubilant mood, reiterated that she had no intentions to delay her return.

"We have been talking about our plans to go back for the last few years but this is the first time, we have announced the date of return. I will go back on schedule, come what may," she asserted.

Gen Pervez Musharraf had asked Bhutto in a TV interview on Wednesday to delay her return till the announcement of the Supreme Court's verdict on his eligibility to contest the presidential election. But she rejected the call.

"In fact, Gen Musharraf has no problems with my return but the ruling coalition, especially the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) is afraid of my return," she said.

Earlier, clad in embroidered blue shalwar kameez suiting the Eid occasion, Bhutto greeted guests under the tent in the front lawn of her residence in Emirates Hills.

She had tea and cake with them and thanked them for their support and cooperation she had got during her eight years of stay in Dubai.