CNews ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf has urged the self-exiled former Prime Minister and PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto once again to delay her return to Pakistan
"I have sent messages that she should delay her return," the Musharraf said in an interview with a British TV channel.
And asked if he would try to prevent her return if she ignored his advice, he said: "No, that is not the case, but I would urge her not to."
Benazir Bhutto now feels it is safe to return because Gen Musharraf has passed a so-called National Reconciliation Ordinance dropping corruption charges against her and other politicians.
She still faces some risks. The Supreme Court could strike down the ordinance as unconstitutional.
There is also the issue of the time period (1986-1999) covered by the ordinance. Some of the allegations against Benazir Bhutto relate to events after 1999.
The Pakistani authorities have in the past accused her of involvement in the oil-for-food scandal.
They threatened to charge here with UN sanctions busting on the grounds that a UAE-based company of which she was chairperson made illegal payments to Saddam Hussein's regime.
Gen Musharraf implicitly acknowledged that case could continue. "Whatever is covered by the ordinance is covered. And whatever is not, is not," he said. "We will abide by that document strictly."
"I have sent messages that she should delay her return," the Musharraf said in an interview with a British TV channel.
And asked if he would try to prevent her return if she ignored his advice, he said: "No, that is not the case, but I would urge her not to."
Benazir Bhutto now feels it is safe to return because Gen Musharraf has passed a so-called National Reconciliation Ordinance dropping corruption charges against her and other politicians.
She still faces some risks. The Supreme Court could strike down the ordinance as unconstitutional.
There is also the issue of the time period (1986-1999) covered by the ordinance. Some of the allegations against Benazir Bhutto relate to events after 1999.
The Pakistani authorities have in the past accused her of involvement in the oil-for-food scandal.
They threatened to charge here with UN sanctions busting on the grounds that a UAE-based company of which she was chairperson made illegal payments to Saddam Hussein's regime.
Gen Musharraf implicitly acknowledged that case could continue. "Whatever is covered by the ordinance is covered. And whatever is not, is not," he said. "We will abide by that document strictly."
