Exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will return home to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia today, a senior leader of his party said.

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said today she would defy a new death threat to start campaigning in cities across the country.

Pakistan today rejected calls from Benazir Bhutto for outside help to investigate the suicide bomb aimed at her last week which killed 136 people.

Pakistan’s president is engaged in last-ditch talks with Benazir Bhutto, another banished former leader, about a pact that could save his troubled re-election bid – and leave Nawaz Sharif out in the cold.

Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf is discussing whether to quit as army chief before upcoming elections, the government said today, rejecting a rival’s claim that the decision has already been made.