by Qaiser Felix

A few days before the former prime minister returns home, the media warns about possible attacks against her by Islamic extremists who fear the impact of her return on the country’s political life.

Islamabad (AsiaNews) – Benazir Bhutto’s homecoming, marked by controversy and verbal clashes with the current administration, raises several questions about the country’s future and its economic and social stability.

Ms Bhutto has rejected President Pervez Musharraf’s request that she delay her return scheduled to take place on October 18. From Dubai, where she recently  moved, the former prime minister said that General Musharraf had no problem with her return; it was the ruling Pakistan Muslim League that was “afraid” of it.

For this reason many are concerned that her return will undermine the already fragile balance of power set up by the president. Barely accepted by the country’s Islamist parties, this system might not survive reforms that a new prime minister— Benazir Bhutto herself—might try to implement.

Some press reports have also raised the possibility that she might become the target of extremists, including a suicide attack on her convoy, an attack with a rocket on her vehicle, a bomb blast either at the airport or on the route.

What is known is that the government will deploy 3,500 police and paramilitary troops to guard the leader of the Pakistan People’s Party when she is back. However, once she sets foot in Pakistan the country’s future will become even more uncertain than it is.

• pakistan
• homecoming
• benazir
• bhutto
• pervez
• musharraf
• threats
• violence
• political
• balance