BENAZIR Bhutto is keeping People’s Party watchers busy in speculating her next moves by sending different signals from Dubai where she resides in self-exile with her ailing mother.

A three-day meeting of her central and provincial leadership and parliamentarians from Punjab and Sindh kept 60 to 70 participants busy this week from mid-morning to late evening in open-consultation type parleys.

A similar meeting, with all those who matter in the party, was held last month also along with a meeting of the PPP federal executive council. Why did she call the party faithful again so soon and in the midst of the government-opposition negotiations on the LFO? Is she mobilizing her troops? What is she up to? Is she really planning to throw a monkey wrench in the works to upset the present political system by suddenly returning to Pakistan?

She said so in the meeting and showed her eagerness to return to “her people” who she expects would deliver her a two-third majority in case of a fresh election. She is also showing great optimism by predicting the collapse of the present structure and is keeping the hopes of some of those comrades alive who don’t want to be away from power for too long.

But insiders say no, she has no immediate plan to go back to Pakistan and she is saying so only to keep the pressure on Gen Pervez Musharraf. According to them she would only return when the momenfntum was high and party cadres could demonstrate their ability to organize large demonstrations.

“No doubt she will have a huge reception on her arrival in Pakistan. But what after that?” says one party leader who attended the meeting. “She will be sent to jail and would remain there like Zardari who has been behind bars for the last seven years. There must be a mass upsurge to coincide with her return,” a great task for the present Pakistan People’s Party machine.

“What are the chances of a deal with President Musharraf?” someone asked. “None,” she reportedly said. “Why would Pervez Musharraf need the PPP when the MMA could be his willing partner?” said another insider.

Many believe that one reason for inviting party leaders was to put pressure on her team in Pakistan led by Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who she doesn’t want to be soft in negotiations with the government on the LFO. The change in the PPP team participating in negotiations with the government is cited as evidence of this.

It was Benazir Bhutto who replaced Naveed Qamar as a member of the PPP line-up in the opposition-government parleys and nominated Shah Mehmood Qureshi to the team. It was Naveed Qamar who reportedly told Benazir Bhutto about the rumours in Islamabad that the MMA could make a deal on Gen Musharraf’s presidency in return for some promises.

Observers here believe that Mr Amin Fahim is in a difficult spot, as his leader is showing no flexibility on the LFO, while some other parties may want a negotiated settlement. “If they don’t want to compromise, then what are they negotiating with the government?” someone asked. “Are they expecting President Musharraf to quietly step down?”

The PPP gatherings in Dubai are well supported by Benazir’s followers in the UAE, from rank and file workers who were jailed and flogged in Pakistan during Zia’s time to those who aspire for party tickets or office for their kin in Pakistan. Their support is crucial to organizing visit visas and providing boarding and lodging and host lunches and dinners.