NEW YORK, Jan 24: Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has vowed to return to the country to participate in the elections scheduled for 2007. In an interview at a hotel here, she denied having expressed interest in becoming a senator. Ms Bhutto’s husband Asif Zardari, who is undergoing cardiac therapy in a hospital here, was also present.

The former prime minister said Mr Zardari would accompany her when she returned, if he had successful rehabilitation therapy.

When asked about the date of her return, she said: “We will return before the democratization process.”

“Asif Zardari and I will be back .It is our country and we have to go back. If the military regime doesn’t like it, too bad,” she said, adding: “We have a timeframe in mind.”

She said: “We want to create a federal democratic egalitarian state where provinces have full autonomy.”

About President Pervez Musharraf’s contention that she would not be allowed to become prime minister for the third time, she pointed out: “Gen Musharraf has given himself five extensions as chief of army staff, which is against the constitution, and is ready to become the president for the third time.”