President Pervez Musharraf has asked former prime minister Benazir Bhutto to delay her return to Pakistan from a self-imposed exile till the Supreme Court decides on petitions challenging his re-election.
"Benazir should not come back to Pakistan on October 18 and she should delay her return till the Supreme Court decision regarding the presidential election," Musharraf told the ARY TV channel in an interview aired on Wednesday.
The beleaguered military ruler swept Saturday's presidential election that was boycotted by the opposition, but cannot assume office till the apex court decides on petitions filed by his rivals challenging his decision to contest without giving up the post of army chief.
"I will not be sworn in before the Supreme Court's decision about the eligibility to contest the presidential election, which I won with an overwhelming majority," Musharraf said, reiterating that he will doff his uniform by November 15.
A day before the presidential poll, Musharraf issued an ordinance to drop all corruption charges registered against Bhutto and other political leaders between 1986 and 1999, paving the way for her return to Pakistan under a power-sharing deal.
Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party said she was committed to returning to the country on October 18 and there was no change in her plans.
Bhutto plans to contest the general election due in January following her return, it said.
Musharraf also said his government had no plans to arrest Bhutto if she ignored his suggestion and would act according to the law.
Asked how he would react if the Supreme Court disqualifies his candidature in the presidential poll, Musharraf said, "We will cross that bridge when we reach it."
Musharraf said the country was making a transition towards civilian democracy and the National Reconciliation Ordinance would benefit all political forces and not just Bhutto.
The law will provide indemnity to all political parties across the board and this will lead to national cohesion, he said.
The ordinance has put an end to the politics of victimisation and vendetta witnessed between 1985 and 1999, Musharraf said.
All political parties, he said, had complained about victimisation during this period and since this ordinance applied to all of them, it would lead to political reconciliation and will address the challenges facing Pakistan.
Musharraf said he will not join any political party as a civilian president after taking off his uniform.
"I am above this and I will remain above it. Let any party win and I will work with them," he said.
Asked if he would represent all parties, Musharraf replied, "Yes."