New Delhi: Benazir Bhutto's homecoming on Thursday after eight years of exile may have been an emotional one, dripped in tears and joys as President Pervez Musharraf's administration allowed her a free entry unlike the rough treatment meted out to Nawaz Sharif.
But apprehensions were there nonetheless. In fact, hours after her arrival in Karachi, there were reports from Pakistan that Bhutto was wearing a bulletproof jacket below her green salwar kameez and the gown of the same colour.
It's not clear whether Bhutto was afraid of the Musharraf regime or the radical elements in Pakistan.
A Pakistani administration official had earlier said that there was threat to Bhutto's life from 'jehadi' elements in the Pakistan Army.
Pakistani helicopters hovered over the airport areas as the aircraft carrying Bhutto landed in Karachi. Some 20,000 police and paramilitary rangers were also deployed in Karachi, especially on the route from the airport to Bilawal House, Bhutto's home in the port city.
Jammers were installed at key locations and on the truck (on which she was travelling). Pakistani officials said there were threats from some 'jehadi' groups and the local Taliban to unleash terrorist activities during her arrival.
On its part, the government reacted cautiously to Bhutto's arrival, facilitated by National Reconciliation Ordinance which has been promulgated by embattled Musharraf to drop graft charges against her.
This somewhat confirmed speculation that Bhutto has entered into some kind of a deal with Gen Musharraf before returning home. Pakistan's Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the government was in touch with Bhutto and "whenever she has a need to get in touch with the government, she can do so. Earlier there was a back channel contact, now there is direct contact," he said.
The Nawaz Sharif's camp criticised Bhutto for striking a deal with Musharraf. "We will never compromise with a dictator," Sharif's brother Shahbaz told Dawn News channel shortly after Bhutto returned to Karachi.
Bhutto, however, vowed to take the country back on the democracy track. "I'll get the country rid of military dictatorship. I haven't come to rule the country but to serve my people, to serve them with all my abilities," she said.
She said she was "excited and overwhelmed" to come home. "I feel very emotional about coming back to my country. I dreamt about this moment for so long. I hope I can live up to the expectations of the people of Pakistan," she said after stepping off the aircraft.
(With inputs from agency)
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