Bhutto to Return: 18 October
A week is a long time in politics, and eight years is even longer. At least, however,we now have the date to watch for. Benazir Bhutto is behaving in an eminently sensible manner here; she has mitigated the risk of being instantly deported and making a shambolic and undignified exit as did Nawaz Sharif: she also gives Musharraf a chance to save face and be 're-elected' (the cut-off for that is 15 October).
Most importantly, she buys time for everyone: though on the other had, that also means that opponents will also have four weeks to get their acts together too. Something to be aware of is that Bhutto is still wanted for corruption charges, well detailed in Musharraf's autobiography (he accuses her, among other things, of having a penchant for expensive jewellery and keeping a private menagerie). It'll be important for Musharraf not to let this go - but with the legal fraternity now very much his enemies, I can see them achieving some kind of knockdown on the charges.
It'll be a date to mark in the diary, and will certainly have significant ramifactions for Pakistan's short-term future.
