DUBAI, March 25: Benazir Bhutto, the chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party, has demanded immediate elections and resignation of the government, citing bloodshed in Balochistan and law and order situation in Waziristan as enough reason for the regime to quit. In a rare address to her supporters here, she also declared that she would soon be in Pakistan and her husband Asif Ali Zardari would be going first to pave way for her return.

“I will follow him and will be among my people very soon,” she said at a function held to celebrate the Pakistan Day.

She confirmed that Mr Zardari would return to Lahore next month despite his health problems that required him to stay in Dubai complete his medical treatment.

“Even after spending eight years in jail and more risks involved in future, Zardari has decided to go back to the people of Pakistan to help them get their rights,” a local newspaper quoted her as saying.

She did not specify the date of her return but asserted that she would be in Pakistan before the next general elections.

Mr Zardari who has been in Dubai for about three months, plans to leave for Lahore on April 16.

Demanding immediate elections, the PPP chairperson said Pakistan was passing through an important phase and problems could only be solved by restoring full democracy and empowering people.

“We are being asked to wait until 2007 for general elections but this is not acceptable to us because Pakistan is burning and our people are suffering,” she said.

“Also people now demand real political force to solve their problems. The government created after the 2002 rigged elections has failed to deliver on all fronts,” she said.