ISLAMABAD, Aug 6: The former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said on Tuesday she would defy a ban on her participation and contest Pakistan’s general elections in October — even if it meant doing so from a prison cell.

In a telephone interview from self-imposed exile in London, the 49-year-old told Reuters: “I am returning to contest the next election.”

“I would like to contend. My party wants me to contend. The people want me to contend. But I am being stopped by a general who seized power in a coup who happens to be a key ally to the West.”

President Pervez Musharraf has decreed that prime ministers who have served twice cannot run for a third term, a move that excludes both ex-premiers from resuming power.

They are also both disqualified under a rule banning people convicted of crimes.

Ms Bhutto argues that the charges of corruption against her are pending, and that a third hurdle — banning anyone who failed to turn up in court to face charges as she did earlier this year — was also illegal, as she was represented by her lawyer.

“He promised a fair election and he’s done everything in his power to ensure a pre-determined result.”

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) of which Ms Bhutto is head, formed a new group called PPP Parliamentarians on Monday, just in time to meet the deadline by which parties had to complete internal elections to qualify for the parliamentary polls.