"I would say she should not come before, she should come later," Musharraf said in a lengthy interview on a private TV channel. A court ruling against Musharraf could push him over the brink after months of political turmoil and lead to his declaring martial law.
Bhutto is set to return on October 18, the day after the court starts hearing challenges against the election. Musharraf agreed last week to give Bhutto an amnesty on the corruption charges that drove her into exile, in a prelude to a likely power-sharing deal between the two leaders.
Bhutto's support in parliament would be vital if Musharraf plans any constitutional changes in the event of a court verdict against him. President Pervez Musharraf said he will not join any political party as a civilian president. "I am above this, and I will remain above...let any party win and I will work with them," he said in an interview with a private television. He said, `yes', when asked if he will represent all the parties.
Speaking about the recently promulgated National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), he said it provide indemnity to all political parties across the board, which will lead to national cohesion. He said through this ordinance the government has put an end to the politics of victimisation and vendetta between 1985 to 1999.
All political parties, he added, have been complaining of victimisation during this period and since this ordinance applies to all of them, it will lead to political reconciliation and address the challenges facing Pakistan.
Musharraf said only those cases have been revoked which were pending against politicians, bureaucrats and others in the NAB since the promulgation of NAB ordinance. "For heaven's sake forget those. It is a wholesome document which ensures that political vendetta and victimisation gives way to harmony."
Replying to a question if the apex court disqualifies him, he said "we cross the bridge when we reach it." The president made it clear that he does not want power or violate the constitution as he is allowed to wear the uniform till November 15, 2007.
President said when he took over power in 1999, the country was on the brink of bankruptcy and there was autocratic rule in the country. After that from 2002 to 2007 it was semi-autocratic rule although civil democratic set up was in place.
"Now we are moving towards complete civil democratic set up." About the role of army chief, the president and Prime Minister in the future set up, he said three of them working together harmoniously are better than one man holding sway over them.
On the engagement of top officials of intelligence agencies for negotiations with Benazir Bhutto, he said it was done for the purpose of confidentiality. Musharraf did not agree that as a civilian president his tenure will not last more than six months to one year.
"I leave this to the people...but there are many with vested interests who create a doomsday scenario. I don't think they function in national interest." Musharraf said despite the fact that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz is not a political person, still he is very happy with him for bringing a turn around in the economy.
Asked that it was a general impression that he favours MQM, the president said he only favours the right. "Some people give it ethnic colour which only damages the image of the country. I am a Pakistani and believe in being a Pakistani." Musharraf said the next general elections instead of slogans, will be won by the candidates on the basis of `constituency politics.'
To a question about the steps taken for poverty alleviation and ending unemployment, President Musharraf said no one has a magic wand to undo these ills overnight.
He said one of the biggest achievements of the government has been putting the economy on the right track, which brought down the poverty level from 34 percent to 24 percent. "I sincerely hope that the process is sustained and we will bring it further down," he added.
Musharraf said no other government has done as much as the present government for the welfare of poor farmers by giving them the facility of revolving credit through ZTBL. He said earlier, ZTBL officials would go to a farmer, as soon as the crop was ready, for the recovery of a small loan that he had taken. "If he was unable to pay, they would handcuff that farmer. It is no more the same."
Speaking about his successes and failures, he referred to his 7-point agenda and said none of it has been 100 percent successful or 100 percent failure. He however, said economic turn around has been his biggest achievement and Pakistan's standing in the comity of nations has also improved due to better foreign policy.
President Musharraf, when asked if there was peace between the government and legal fraternity, said the legal fraternity was one of the important pillars of the state including the executive and the parliament and there should be no interference by any one in each other's affairs.
He also did not agree with the view that judicial independence and judicial activism were the two wheels of a vehicle and said he believes in judicial independence but considers the latter as interference.
To a question as to when he would shed his military uniform, the President said, he was allowed (constitutionally) to hold the dual offices by November 15 this year. He, however, added that but if there is delay in the decision of the Supreme Court and it continues beyond November 15, he would follow the constitution.
Asked as if there would be a change in his behaviour as civilian President, Musharraf said, "I am not an actor. I behave naturally. So there will be no change in my behaviour." About his future plans for the next five years, the President said he would like to give greater focus on the country's security, socio-economic progress and development as well as the well-fare and well-being of masses, with sustained policies.