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K J M Varma in Islamabad
Former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who has planned to end her self-exile by returning home with a large team of international media, has accused President Pervez Musharraf of exploiting army for his personal gains.
"General Musharraf presumably hopes to exploit the army for personal gain and get it to rig the referendum and declare himself as president. We hope the army will not allow itself to be exploited by any individual," Bhutto, who faces prosecution on corruption charges on return to Pakistan, said in an interview to local newspaper Daily Times.
Benazir, who was in US last weekend to invite the major international media to accompany her as and when she decides to return home, said the referendum being held by Musharraf was only a publicity stunt as his real power base rested with army and US administration.
"Certainly, the people of Pakistan are expected to reject the insult to the Constitution. The proposed referendum is a publicity stunt. The real power of General Musharraf rests on the army and the American government," she said.
Her remarks followed reports that the military regime has managed to create a pro-Musharraf faction ahead of the referendum as a provincial leader of Bhutto's Pakistan People Party, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, declared support for the Pakistan president.
Musharraf recently reiterated Bhutto would be arrested to face trial if she returned home.
Sherpao, who was formerly chief minister in North West Frontier Province and returned recently after living several years in London, was imprisoned on corruption charges.
According to media reports in Islamabad, Sherpao would be heading the breakaway faction of the PPP and has been busy working on the phones, mustering support for Musharraf from the jail.
PPP sources said Sherpao returned home after cutting a deal with the government. He was expected to come out on bail next week, they said.
Bhutto said she would return to Pakistan in the near future to face arrest and to contest general elections to be held in October this year.
"Yes, I am returning to Pakistan. The decision will be announced when the date is decided. I am not deterred by the dictatorial threats to stop me by arrest or through judicial abuse. I see that people convicted by courts are set free and those freed by courts are imprisoned. The rule of law has become a mockery," she added.
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