Bhutto determined to return to Pak on Oct 18

Dubai, Oct 17: Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has confirmed that she will be returning to Pakistan on October 18, as per the announcements made by her earlier.

Speaking at a press conference here today, Benazir thanked the media for their support and said: "By this time tomorrow I will be on a plane to Pakistan."

"In the last eight years I have not given any date for my return, but this time I promised to return to Pakistan and I am not in a habit of making false promises," she claimed.

"Pakistan can"t be far from me, nor can I leave the country. It was just a temporary departure for time being which I passed with great difficulty," Bhutto added.

Bhutto said that it is a fact that Pakistan Government suggested me to defer my return to the country, but my return is linked to restoration of democracy and civilian government in the country.

She claimed that bad days for her started with the killing of her brother Murtaza Bhutto in 1996, and not with Musharraf capturing power in a bloodless coup in 1999.

Bhutto said that she is returning to Pakistan after 11 years to bring democracy, end extremism and provide food and shelter to the people, and added that her strength is the support of people of Pakistan.

"I can save Pakistan through people"s power and have no other power to bring a change," she said.

Bhutto also said that more than million people are gathering in Karachi to welcome her with a hope that she will bring democracy in the country and empower them.

Commenting on Musharraf"s uniform, Bhutto said that the PPP couldn"t work with Musharraf in uniform. She referred to the announcement made by the President before the Supreme Court to shed his uniform, and termed it as a victory for the people of Pakistan.

She said that as per the efforts of her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and people of the country restoration of democracy was necessary for the country.

Bhutto thanked the UAE Government for extending support for her stay in the country.

ANI
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