Benazir to stay abroad
Former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto will not return to Pakistan from Dubai after President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency on Saturday, a spokesman for her Pakistan People's Party told AFP.
"She can't go back to Pakistan now due to the state of emergency," Zubeir Bashir, the PPP's spokesman for the Middle East, said. "If she goes back they would arrest her."
No official reason was given for the state of emergency, but the declaration came as Musharraf, who seized power in a coup in 1999, awaited a Supreme Court decision that could have overturned his victory in an October 6 presidential election.
"We condemn Musharraf's decision to declare a state of emergency. We don't accept it," said Zubair, adding that Benazir Bhutto might give a news conference in the Gulf Arab emirate of Dubai later on Saturday or on Sunday.
"Army rule is bad. It stops everything and makes the country's progress zero," Zubair added.
Benazir made a surprise return to Dubai on Thursday after earlier cancelling her planned departure from Pakistan because of rumours of an impending state of emergency.
Earlier Pakistan President has put off discussions with former premier Benazir Bhutto on a possible power-sharing arrangement amidst reports of growing differences between the two leaders.
Tariq Aziz, the secretary of the National Security Council, and business magnate Iqbal Ahmed, who was set to fly to Dubai on Friday to hold talks with Benazir Bhutto but put off their visit after receiving a message from the President's office in Rawalpindi, Dawn News channel quoted official sources as saying.
Aziz, who has been representing Musharraf in talks with Benazir Bhutto and her Pakistan People's Party, was to discuss the formation of a caretaker government and other matters during the proposed meeting in Dubai.
Benazir Bhutto, who survived an assassination attempt hours after she returned to Pakistan from eight years in self-exile on October 18, suddenly flew to Dubai last afternoon.
She said she was going to meet her family and ailing mother and would be back to address a planned public meeting in Rawalpindi on November 9.
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